The combined contraceptive vaginal ring (NuvaRing) and endometrial histology.

We investigated the effects of NuvaRing on endometrial histology in a 2-year open-label, multicenter trial in 103 premenopausal women aged 18-35 years. Subjects received 26 cycles of treatment, each comprising 3 weeks of ring use followed by a 1-week ring-free period. Endometrial biopsies were taken at baseline, and at cycles 13 (month 12) and 26 (month 24). Normal biopsy results were obtained in all subjects after 24 months of NuvaRing treatment. Atrophic or inactive endometrium and secretory changes were present in the majority of the biopsies after 1 year and 2 years of treatment with the vaginal ring. It was concluded that long-term use of NuvaRing has no adverse effects on endometrial histology.

Follow-up of abnormal or inadequate cervical smears using two guidance systems: RCT on effectiveness.

BACKGROUND: To improve follow-up compliance after an initial inadequate or abnormal cervical smear, two follow-up guidance systems were tested for effectiveness. A comprehensive system (cytopathology laboratory monitored the follow-up of all abnormal and inadequate smears) was compared to a selective system (monitoring was left to the smear taker; laboratory acted as a safety net). METHODS: In an RCT on all family practices (N = 171) in the catchment areas of two cytopathology laboratories (Nijmegen region, The Netherlands, 1998-2000), practices were allocated at random to one of the follow-up guidance systems. All women included were registered at the practices, invited to the national screening program and had abnormal or inadequate smears. Measurements comprised of (1) follow-up compliance at baseline and 1 year after the initial smear and (2) diagnostic outcome of the follow-up smear. RESULTS: During the study period, 132 practices sent their cervical smears to the laboratories. The comprehensive system covered 1226 women, the selective 1034. In the comprehensive system, the increase in follow-up compliance for initial inadequate and slightly abnormal smears was significantly higher (8.9%) than in the selective one, which implied an extra detection of eleven, more serious, abnormalities per 1000 women. CONCLUSION: The comprehensive system was more effective than the selective and is suitable for use on a larger scale.