TRANSVAGINAL
RING
Vaginal rings aka
transvaginal rings are
polymeric drug
delivery devices
designed to provide
controlled release of
drugs for intravaginal
administration over
Mechanism of Action
(Vaginal Ring)
Works primarily by
preventing the
ovulation as vaginal
epithelium absorbs
hormones slowly.
Hormonal drug of vaginal ring consists
of: (Estrogen +
Progesterone ) which may differ in
proportions according to the product
manufactured by different brands.
The two main products(vaginal ring)
available widely are:NuvaRing and
Annovera.
Progering(Chile and Peru)that differs
NuvaRing VS Annovera
Features NuvaRing Annovera
[Link] • Etonorgestrel • Segesterone
• Ethinyl • Ethinyl
estradiol estradiol
[Link] • Etonorgestrel • Segesterone
Release Rate 120 mcg/day 150mcg/day
• Ethinyl • Ethinyl
estradiol estradiol
15mcg/day 13mcg/day
[Link] • 54mm • 56mm
[Link] span • 1 cycle • 13 cycles(can
(single) be reused)
[Link] • Refrigeration • No
refrigeration
Insertion of Vaginal
Ring
Step 1:Firstly,squeeze the
ring between your thumb
and finger.
Step 2:Then,gently insert
the tip into vagina.
Step 3:Slowly push the
ring up into your vagina
using your index finger
until it feels comfortable.
Step 4:The ring doesn’t
need to cover the
entrance to womb(the
cervix) to work,but if it
feels
uncomfortable,may not
have been pushed far
Advantages Disadvantage
Effective and s
reversible No STI protection
Should be used once Need a prescription
a month
Headache,Nausea,
Makes periods more
Spotting,Fatigue,
regular,lighter Breast tendernes.
Does not interfere (Hormonal side
with sexual effects)
intercourse. Ring may fall out.
Reduced chances of (uncommon)
acne,cancer and May cause vaginal
cysts.(similar to low discomfort or
dose OCP) irritation.
CONTRACEPTIVE
PATCHES
A contraceptive patch aka
“the patch” is a
transdermal patch applied
to the skin that releases
synthetic estrogen and
progesterone hormones to
prevent pregnancy.
Mechanism of Action
(Contraceptive patch)
Works by
suppressing ovulation
as hormones are
absorbed slowly
through skin and into
the bloodstream.
Sites for using patches
Breasts are to be avoided as direct
absorption of hormones from breast
It delivers daily a dose
of 150mcg of progestin-
Norelgestromin and 35
mcg of Ethinyl estradiol.
Commercially available
brands of birth control
patches-Ortho
Evra,Zafemy and
Xulane.
Steps to apply the
patch
Usage of Patch
The patch can be started to use in either
of the 2 ways:-
Either it should be started within 24 hours
of menstrual period OR it can be started
within a week from day first of menstrual
cycle but in this 7 days it must be backed
up by other means of contraception.
A new patch is applied each week for
3 weeks,followed by a patch-free week
to allow withdrawl [Link] no
circumstances should there be more
than 7 days patch free interval.
The patch has an inner layer with an
adhesive and hormone matrix and an
outer water resistant layer.
The patch must be used on clean,dry
skin without use of cosmetic products.
In case the patch is partially off or been
totally off: for less than 1day
reapplication can be done or new patch
can be applied immediately. For more
than 1day a new patch should be applied
and new 4 week cycle should be started
from that day.
Advantages Disadvantages
Effective & No STI protection
reversible Less effective if over
Once a week use 90kgs
Regular,lighter and Possible skin
irritation
less crampy periods
Risk of blood clots
No hindrance in
Needs prescription
fertility
Reduced risk of
Patch may fall
off(rare)
cancers
Nausea,Headache,
Less ovarian cysts
Breast
and benign breast tenderness,breakthr
complications ough bleeding.
