Objective: To assess the contraceptive efficacy, user acceptability, cycle control, and tolerability of a combined contraceptive vaginal ring for up to 13 cycles.
Materials and methods: Healthy women coming to the OPD for contraceptive advice were enrolled in this one-year study. Each ring was used for three weeks followed by a one-week ring-free period.
Results: A total of 184 women started treatment forming the intent to treat population. Subjects were followed for 13 cycles. Compliance was good with 99 % of cycles in full compliance with specified criteria. In the intent to treat population, no pregnancies occurred giving a Pearl Index of 0. The mean incidence of withdrawal bleeding was 99 % in all cycles. There was 0.16 % incidence of intermenstrual bleeding and 2 % incidence of early withdrawal bleeding. The ring was well tolerated with a low incidence of adverse events.
Conclusion: The ring is an effective contraceptive that is convenient, well tolerated with excellent cycle control, and highly acceptable to users.
Keywords: Combined vaginal contraceptive ring; Cycle control; Efficacy.