14 DAY TRIAL // Daily oral contraception is more recommended for very organized persons. That's why a research published in the journal "Obstetrics and Gynecology" compares a contraceptive vaginal ring with the skin patch, both coming with the same hormonal combination as birth control pills. They represent an alternative to the daily pill and are left in place for three weeks at a time. Surprisingly (or not), more women were satisfied with the vaginal ring.
The study was made at 10 American centers on 249 women using the ring and 251 using the patch, for four consecutive menstrual cycles.
"What we found is that more women are happier with the ring than the patch. On the whole, they report fewer complications, and a significant majority preferred the ring to their pill," said first author Dr. Mitchell Creinin, professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences, at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
In November 2005, patches had to label a warning about their estrogen levels and connected risk of blood clots. The volunteers were informed about the warning. 5 women using the contraceptive patch were influenced by the warning, stopping the use of the patch before the conclusion of the research.
"Overall, however, patch users were twice as likely to discontinue using the product by the end of the third cycle, and seven times more likely to say they had no wish to continue once the study was over," said Creinin, also director of family planning at Pitt and a senior investigator at the Pitt-affiliated Magee-Womens Research Institute.
The main reasons for discontinuation were the side effects, like longer periods, cramps, nausea, mood swings, skin irritation or issues with the patch detaching. Reasons for discontinuation in the case of the ring were discomfort and more frequent vaginal discharge.
"Although oral contraceptives are the most commonly used reversible form of contraception in the United States, continuation rates are only 40% at six months of use," wrote the authors.
Researches had revealed that in the third month of use, about 50% of women miss three or more pills each cycle, increasing the risk of getting pregnant.
"The two alternative delivery systems for combined hormonal contraceptives had not been evaluated in a single randomized trial, making it difficult for clinicians to compare and contrast these options for their patients. But now we can provide more accurate counseling to patients who might be interested in a nondaily birth control method," said Creinin.