Population Council Research that makes a difference

2011 International Conference on Family Planning
29 November–2 December 2011

Abstract

"Better birth spacing methods for lactating women. Progesterone vaginal rings"
Régine Sitruk-Ware

Background
The progesterone vaginal ring (PVR) has been shown to be effective as a contraceptive in breastfeeding women who need a better method of spacing pregnancies.

Methods
Clinical trials of 1-year duration demonstrated its efficacy to be similar to that of an intrauterine device (IUD) during lactation.

Results
The duration of lactational amenorrhea is significantly prolonged in PVR users in comparison to IUD users with fewer median numbers of bleeding/spotting (B/S) episodes and B/S days. This long-acting delivery system designed for 3-month use needs to be renewed every 3 months as long as breastfeeding continues. The system designed as a matrix ring delivers 10 mg/day of the physiological hormone progesterone. Various factors such as comfort, ease of use, user control, rather than provider-dependent, and the fact that it contains a natural hormone have contributed to a high acceptability of the PVR method by breastfeeding women.

Conclusion
The PVR represents a new option for women who need better methods of spacing births and continue to breast feed for a better mother and child health.

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