Vaginal rings for contraception in lactating women

Contraceptive methods for breastfeeding women should be safe for the mother and infant and should not interfere with lactation. Progestin-only methods meet these conditions and can be used from the sixth week postpartum. Beca use all progestins are excreted in milk, those that are insufficiently acti ve by the oral route are preferable to avoid any possible effect on the bab y. These steroids, however, must be administered to the mother by a non-ora l route. Initially, progesterone was administered subdermally to test this concept. Subsequently, a progesterone vaginal ring was developed to be used continuously for 3 to 4 months and replaced with a new device, as needed, until weaning. Clinical trials have shown a high contraceptive efficacy (ov er 98.5%) and safety. The gross continuation rate of this method is approxi mately 40% at 12 months of use, with use-related problems being the main re ason for discontinuation (26.8%). Currently, a Nestorone(R) vaginal ring is under development, delivering 50 mug of Nestorone per day. It may be used continuously for up to one year, even if weaning occurs earlier. Both of th ese progestin-only rings prolong lactational amenorrhea to 10 to 12 months, which represents a health benefit and convenience for many women. The regi stration of the progesterone vaginal ring, developed as a contraceptive met hod to be used exclusively during lactation, has been approved in Chile and Peru. The fact that it is a user-controlled long-term contraceptive that d elivers a natural hormone makes it an attractive option for many women. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.