99% Effective NuvaRing(R) Now Available In The UK

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Fertility;  Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 26 Jan 2009 - 4:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

A contraceptive ring which combines the efficacy of 'the Pill' with easy once-monthly self-insertion is now available in the UK.(2)

NuvaRing (etonogestrel 120mcg/ethinyl estradiol 15mcg vaginal ring) is a flexible transparent ring containing oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) and progestogen (etonogestrel). These are dispersed throughout the ring's core and absorbed through the vaginal lining directly into the bloodstream. The ring works, like 'the Pill', by inhibiting ovulation.

Amongst women who agreed to participate in clinical trials for a vaginal ring, despite being satisfied Pill users, 71% opted to continue using NuvaRing rather than return to 'the Pill'.(1) Furthermore, in a separate study over nine out of ten women would recommend the method to a friend.(3)

"NuvaRing is an important addition to the options we have to offer women. We know that when a woman uses a contraceptive that suits her lifestyle, she is more likely to use it appropriately and this reduces the risk of an unplanned pregnancy. In a clinical study, the majority of women considered the vaginal ring easy to use and convenient," said Dr Tina Peers, consultant for Surrey PCT.

According to the NHS, there are now 15 methods of contraception available in the UK. National guidelines state that women requiring contraception should be given "information about and a choice of all contraceptive methods" and that the goal of contraception counselling is to "allow women to choose a method they feel most comfortable with and will continue using, taking into account their lifestyle preferences and concerns."(4) Half of pregnancies are unplanned despite three quarters (76%) of women under 50 using some form of contraception, with the second most common reason for women using emergency contraception being that they have missed or forgotten to take their oral contraceptive pill.(5,6)

NuvaRing was developed by Organon, a part of Schering-Plough, and was first licensed for use in the US in 2002. It was granted a UK licence in 2008.

About NuvaRing

Efficacy

NuvaRing offers efficacy comparable to the combined oral contraceptive pill.(2) In three large clinical trials of 13 cycles of NuvaRing use, pregnancy rates were between one and two per 100 women-years of use.(2)

Self-administration

Women find it easy to insert and remove NuvaRing and the exact positioning is not critical for the product to work.(2,7) In order to prevent pregnancy for a full month, the vaginal ring must be inserted and left in place for three consecutive weeks. In clinical trials, 96% of women reported that NuvaRing was easy to insert and 98% said it was easy to remove.(7)

Low oestrogen exposure

NuvaRing offers a low and steady hormone delivery 15µg ethinyl estradiol and 120µg etonogestrel throughout each 24 hour period.

Low incidence of side-effects

In combined clinical trials with 2,322 women, NuvaRing was generally well tolerated with a low incidence of oestrogen-related side-effects, such as headache (5.8%), nausea (3.2%) and breast tenderness (2.6%). In combined clinical trials with 247 women, irregular bleeding was lower for NuvaRing compared with a combined oral contraceptive.(8)

About Schering-Plough

Schering-Plough is an innovation-driven, science-centred global healthcare company. Through its own biopharmaceutical research and collaborations with partners, Schering-Plough creates therapies that help save and improve lives around the world. The company applies its research-and-development platform to human prescription and consumer products as well as to animal health products. Schering-Plough's vision is to 'Earn Trust, Every Day' with the doctors, patients, customers and other stakeholders served by its colleagues around the world. The company is based in Kenilworth (NJ, USA) and the UK website is http://www.schering-plough.co.uk.

References

1. Creinin MD, Meyn LA et al. Multicenter comparison of the contraceptive ring and patch: a randomised controlled trial. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2008; 111(2 Pt 1):267-277.

2. NuvaRing Summary of Product Characteristics.

3. Novak A, de la Loge C et al. The combined contraceptive vaginal ring, NuvaRing: an international study of user acceptability. Contraception. 2003; 67(3):187-194.

4. NICE Clinical Guideline 30. Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). October 2005. NHS.

5. Kishen M, Belfield T. Contraception in crisis. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care. 2006; 32(4): 211-212.

6. Lader D. Contraception and Sexual Health 2007/08. Newport, UK: Office for National Statistics. 2007/08.

7. Dieben T, Roumen FJ et al. Efficacy, cycle control and user acceptability of a novel combined contraceptive vaginal ring. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2002; 100:585-593.

8. Bjarnadóttir RI, Tuppurainen M et al. Comparison of cycle control with a combined contraceptive vaginal ring and oral levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2002; 186:389-395.

Schering-Plough