Residual hormone levels in used contraceptive rings as a measurement of adherence to vaginal ring use

Contraception. 2017 Jun;95(6):602-604. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2017.03.011. Epub 2017 Apr 1.

Abstract

Objective: This study sought to measure residual contraceptive hormone levels in vaginal rings as an adherence marker for monitoring product use in clinical trials.

Study design: Residual etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol levels from used NuvaRings® of 26 self-reported adherent women enrolled in a clinical trial of vaginal ring acceptability were compared to those from 16 women who used NuvaRing® as their contraceptive choice.

Results: Twenty-one (81%) clinical trial rings had contraceptive hormone levels within the range of those used as a contraceptive choice. Five returned rings had unused or discordant levels of residual contraceptive hormones.

Conclusion: Residual vaginal ring drug levels could help assess adherence in clinical trials.

Keywords: Adherence; Contraception; HIV; Multipurpose technology; Vaginal ring.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intravaginal
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Contraceptive Agents, Female / administration & dosage
  • Contraceptive Agents, Female / analysis*
  • Contraceptive Devices, Female*
  • Desogestrel / administration & dosage
  • Desogestrel / analogs & derivatives*
  • Desogestrel / analysis
  • Drug Combinations
  • Ethinyl Estradiol / administration & dosage
  • Ethinyl Estradiol / analysis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kenya
  • Patient Compliance*
  • United States

Substances

  • Contraceptive Agents, Female
  • Drug Combinations
  • NuvaRing
  • etonogestrel
  • Ethinyl Estradiol
  • Desogestrel