Serum Ethinyl Estradiol Levels with the Ring, Patch, and Pill

Exposure to ethinyl estradiol varies with the contraceptive regimen employed, but which contraceptive is the least estrogenic? In this open-label trial, Dutch investigators compared serum . . .

Exposure to ethinyl estradiol varies with the contraceptive regimen employed, but which contraceptive is the least estrogenic? In this open-label trial, Dutch investigators compared serum EE levels during use of three estrogen-progestin contraceptive methods: the vaginal ring (15 μg EE/120 μg etonogestrel daily), the transdermal patch (20 μg EE/150 μg norelgestromin daily), and an oral contraceptive (OC; 30 μg EE/150 μg levonorgestrel daily). After undergoing synchronization with the OC, 24 volunteers were randomized to use one of the three methods for 21 days. (Several of the investigators are employed by the manufacturer of the vaginal ring.)

Area-under-the-curve data for the treatment period indicated that EE exposure was approximately tw…

Reviewing Author

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD