This study is enrolling healthy women ages 18-39yo who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, and are not using hormonal birth control. Initial screening visit will include a blood draw to assess if the participant has recently ovulated. If hormone test indicates ovulation occurred, participant will start the study 8 days after the start of their next menstrual period. On this study visit, vaginal ultrasound will be performed to look the ovaries for follicles. Vaginal ultrasound is then performed approximately every 2 days until the dominant follicle has grown into the size group assigned. When this occurs the participant will place the NuvaRing®, inside the vagina and blood will be drawn for hormone levels. Participant will then return daily the next 5 days (total of 6 daily visits) for vaginal ultrasound and blood draw to assess for signs of ovulation. After the 7th day the ring is in the vagina, the participant will remove the ring from her vagina at home. After removal, there will be twice weekly clinic visits for ultrasound and blood draw until menstrual bleeding occurs. At this point, participation in the study is complete. Participants are compensated for their time.
The study will be comprised of healthy, non-pregnant, non-breastfeeding, reproductive age women with regular, ovulatory cycles who are protected from unintended pregnancy via the concurrent use of non-hormonal methods of contraception. Participants will have a mid-luteal screening visit, which will include: informed consent, history, physical, vitals, and assessment of mid-luteal serum progesterone to confirm ovulatory status. Each participant will be assigned to one of three groups according the size of the leading follicle (12-14mm, 15-17mm, ≥18mm), which will determine the timing of the placement of the ENG/EE CVR. Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) will be performed three times per week, starting on day 8 of the menstrual cycle, until the leading follicle is within the assigned group. On that day the CVR will be placed and, including day of placement, there will be 6 daily visits with hormonal assays (progesterone, luteinizing hormone) and TVUS to assess for signs of ovulation. Compliance with CVR placement will be assessed through the measurement of serum ENG. After 7 days, participants will remove the CVR at home. Participants will then have biweekly visits until onset of menses to obtain serum progesterone levels and TVUS to assess for signs of delayed ovulation.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
36
Placement of a contraceptive vaginal ring with subsequent assessment of ovulation disruption. Timing of placement depends on leading follicle size, as described in "Arms" section.
Keck Medicine of USC--Downtown LA
Los Angeles, California, United States
RECRUITINGLAC+USC Medical Center
Los Angeles, California, United States
RECRUITINGPercentage of ovulation suppression or dysfunction in relation to follicle size
Describe the ability of the contraceptive vaginal ring to cause ovulation suppression or dysfunction when placed in the mid and advanced follicular phase. This will be determined via measurement of steroid hormones and assessment of the leading ovarian follicle for signs of rupture after placement of the contraceptive vaginal ring.
Time frame: The outcome is measured throughout the 6 week study.
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