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Abstract
The objectives of this trial were to test the contraceptive efficacy and measure-progesterone
plasma levels of women using progesterone-releasing rings during lactation. Two types
of rings delivering an average of about 5 mg or 10 mg of progesterone per day were
tested in 128 healthy nursing women. A control group was formed by 127 Copper T users.
Rings were inserted at day 60 postpartum and replaced every 3 months with a new one.
Initially progesterone plasma levels were around 10 nmol/l and 15 nmol/l for rings
releasing 5 and 10 mg per day, respectively, and decreased slightly after 30 days.
Levels observed in subsequent segments of use approximated those of the first segment.
These levels are within the range shown to inhibit fertility in lactating women.
One pregnancy was diagnosed in 739 woman-months of progesterone ring use, and none
occurred in 794 woman-months of Copper T use, which contrasts with the high incidence
of pregnancy in a group of untreated nursing women where 19 pregnancies resulted during
677 woman-months. No deleterious effects were detected lactation and infant growth
or maternal and infant health. It is concluded that the vaginal rings releasing progesterone
are a suitable contraceptive method for lactating women.
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
December 4,
1985
Received:
October 31,
1985
Identification
Copyright
© 1986 Geron-X, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
