Patient satisfaction with the use of nuvaring after surgical or medical abortion

Abstract

Introduction: This pilot study was conducted to determine if the use of a vaginal combined hormonal contraceptive ring (NuvaRing) is an acceptable method of hormonal contraception when used in the immediate postabortion period following a first-trimester surgical or medical abortion.Materials and Methods: Study participants were recruited from the Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas, Inc. Participants were instructed to insert NuvaRing within 5 days of a first-trimester surgical abortion or within 7 days of a medical abortion. Participants were followed for 3 months to determine the acceptability and safety of NuvaRing inserted vaginally postabortion. Each participant finishing the study completed a NuvaRing satisfaction questionnaire. Safety was measured by the absence of signs of infection or serious adverse events related to the use of NuvaRing.Results: Sixty-eight participants (84%) completed the first-month follow-up visit and 54% (67%) completed the 3-month follow-up visit. Of the participants who completed the study, 48 (88.9%) continued the use of NuvaRing as their birth control method. There were no serious adverse events reported by the participants. The follow-up examinations showed no signs of infection related to the use of NuvaRing.Discussion: The results of this pilot study suggest that the use of NuvaRing is not only safe but also highly acceptable to women immediately following first-trimester medical or surgical abortion. Such use could potentially reduce contraceptive noncompliance and subsequent unintended pregnancy.Conclusion: NuvaRing is acceptable and safe when used in the immediate postabortion period following a first-trimester surgical or medical abortion. Introduction: This pilot study was conducted to determine if the use of a vaginal combined hormonal contraceptive ring (NuvaRing) is an acceptable method of hormonal contraception when used in the immediate postabortion period following a first-trimester surgical or medical abortion. Materials and Methods: Study participants were recruited from the Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas, Inc. Participants were instructed to insert NuvaRing within 5 days of a first-trimester surgical abortion or within 7 days of a medical abortion. Participants were followed for 3 months to determine the acceptability and safety of NuvaRing inserted vaginally postabortion. Each participant finishing the study completed a NuvaRing satisfaction questionnaire. Safety was measured by the absence of signs of infection or serious adverse events related to the use of NuvaRing. Results: Sixty-eight participants (84%) completed the first-month follow-up visit and 54% (67%) completed the 3-month follow-up visit. Of the participants who completed the study, 48 (88.9%) continued the use of NuvaRing as their birth control method. There were no serious adverse events reported by the participants. The follow-up examinations showed no signs of infection related to the use of NuvaRing. Discussion: The results of this pilot study suggest that the use of NuvaRing is not only safe but also highly acceptable to women immediately following first-trimester medical or surgical abortion. Such use could potentially reduce contraceptive noncompliance and subsequent unintended pregnancy. Conclusion: NuvaRing is acceptable and safe when used in the immediate postabortion period following a first-trimester surgical or medical abortion.