Experience of more than 3000 cycles of Brazilian women using the contraceptive vaginal ring (nuvaring ®)

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the profile of the Brazilianvaginal ring user, reasons for choosing it, satisfaction, menstrual pattern, tolerability, efficacy, side effects and reasons for discontinuation. Methods: We reviewed the files of 148 users who attended the Hospital de Jacarepaguáand private clinics, between 2005 and 2011, in a total of 3107 cycles. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and regression models were used in statistical analysis. Results: The profile was: single, nulligravida, 30 years (mean) and with university education. The previous contraception used was mostly the oral hormonal contraception (75.7%). Women chose the ring for: practicality (32.4%), forgetting the pill (32.4%) and irregular vaginal bleeding (13.5%). The satisfaction degree was 80.5% (119). There were good cycle control and no pregnancies. Thirty-eight patients discontinued the use (25.7%). The main reasons were wish for pregnancy (6%), spotting (3.4%) and increased vaginal discharge (2.7%). At the end of the first year, use of the greatest reduction of continuity probability was observed (19.3%). Women with side effects were 68% less likely to be satisfied with the method than those without (p-value <0.0001). Conclusion: Nuvaring® is an excellent contraceptiveoption due to its sefficacy, cycle control, tolerability, practicality and safety.