The combined contraceptive vaginal ring, NuvaRing®, and tampon co-usage

We investigated the effect of tampon co-usage on systemic exposure to etonogestrel (ENG) and ethinylestradiol (EE) from the combined contraceptive vaginal ring, NuvaRing(R). One cycle of ring use consists of 3 weeks of ring use followed by a 1-week ring-free period. Fourteen healthy women were randomized to use both NuvaRing and tampons (Kotex(R) regular) or NuvaRing alone for one cycle; participants then switched to the alternate treatment regimen for a second cycle of ring use. The first tampon was self-administered on day 8 of the interaction cycle; 4 tampons a day were used for 3 consecutive days. Tampon co-usage did not result in any changes in serum ENG or EE concentrations and is thus not expected to compromise the ring's contraceptive efficacy. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.