Comparing hormonals.

A review of randomized controlled trials indicates that the contraceptive patch and the vaginal ring are similar in effectiveness to combined oral contraceptives. (1) The 11 trials (three comparing the patch and the pill, and eight comparing the ring and the pill) also revealed differences between the pill and the other methods. Consistency of use was greater with the patch than with the pill, but patch users were more likely than oral contraceptive users to drop out of the trial early, and they reported more breast discomfort, painful periods, nausea and vomiting. Ring users reported greater method satisfaction than pill users; they had more vaginal irritation and discharge than women taking oral contraceptives, but fewer bleeding problems and less nausea, irritability and depression. The researchers suggest that future studies include more detailed information on whether women use their methods correctly and are satisfied with them.

(1.) Lopez LM et al., Skin patch and vaginal ring versus combined oral contraceptives for contraception, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2008, Issue 1, CD003552.