Abstract
Introduction
This prospective observational study evaluated the bleeding patterns of women using
a vaginal ring releasing 120 ��g of etonogestrel and 15 ��g of ethinyl estradiol daily,
over a continuous period of 84 days followed by 7 ring-free days.
Methods
The study enrolled 75 volunteers aged 18 to 37 years. Sixty-two (82.8%) recorded their
menstrual cycles during 1 year.
Results
At the end of the study, 85.5% had adequate menstrual patterns (two to four bleeding
episodes, none lasting 10 days or more, with a range of bleeding-free intervals not
exceeding 17 days), 9.7% had infrequent bleeding, 1.6% reported prolonged bleeding
episodes, 1.6% had frequent bleeding and 1.6% had irregular bleeding.
Conclusion
Only 5 of the initial 75 patients discontinued the method due to bleeding. Among these
75 women, dissatisfaction with bleeding patterns was not a frequent reason given for
discontinuation of the contraceptive vaginal ring.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 20, 2007
Accepted:
October 31,
2006
Received in revised form:
October 22,
2006
Received:
May 10,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
