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New Developments in Vaginal Rings for Contraception

  • Family Planning (A Burke, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Over the last few decades, new contraceptives with lower concentrations of hormones administered through different routes have been developed. The vaginal contraceptive ring is a relatively new, effective, safe, self-administered hormonal contraceptive method that is increasingly being tested and used. Vaginal rings that release new progestins and estrogens are being developed to reduce side effects and risks, and offer new choices to users. Currently, there are only two commercially available contraceptive rings: a monthly ring containing etonogestrel and ethinylestradiol (NuvaRing®) and a progesterone-only ring for lactating women that can be used for three months (Progering®). To increase the use of this method, recent and ongoing studies are testing rings with progesterone receptor modulators, estradiol and antiretroviral drugs for their indications and safety.

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Conflict of Interest

Cristina Aparecida Falbo Guazzelli has acted on the Merck Global Advisory Contraceptive Board and has received payment for development of educational presentations from Merck and Bayer.

Carolina Sales Vieira has acted on the Merck Global Advisory Contraceptive Board; has provided expert testimony for Merck, and has received payment for development of educational presentations from Merck and Bayer.

Marcia Barbieri and Maria Regina Torloni declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department Obstetrics University Federal São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Cristina Aparecida Falbo Guazzelli, Marcia Barbieri & Maria Regina Torloni

  2. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical School of Ribeirao Preto, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil

    Carolina Sales Vieira

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  1. Cristina Aparecida Falbo Guazzelli
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  2. Marcia Barbieri
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  3. Carolina Sales Vieira
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  4. Maria Regina Torloni
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Correspondence to Cristina Aparecida Falbo Guazzelli.

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Guazzelli, C.A.F., Barbieri, M., Vieira, C.S. et al. New Developments in Vaginal Rings for Contraception. Curr Obstet Gynecol Rep 3, 143–149 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13669-014-0080-0

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