MedPath

Does Vaginal Delivery of Combined Hormonal Contraception Affect the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight/obese Women with PCOS

Phase 4
Recruiting
Conditions
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT04257500
Lead Sponsor
Andrea Roe, MD, MPH
Brief Summary

A prospective study to determine the metabolic effects of the contraceptive vaginal ring among overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We will recruit a total of 40 participants and study use of the vaginal ring over a 4-month period.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
28
Inclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosis of PCOS according to Rotterdam criteria, with at least 2 of 3 of the following criteria: oligomenorrhea (≤8 periods per year), clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound
  • Body mass index ≥25 and ≤45 kg/m2
  • In good general health according to the investigators' discretion
  • Willing to avoid pregnancy for the duration of the study
Exclusion Criteria
  • Current pregnancy or desire for pregnancy during course of study

  • Current breastfeeding

  • Second-trimester pregnancy within four weeks prior to initiation of NuvaRing or third-trimester pregnancy within 6 months prior to initiation of NuvaRing

  • Use of hormonal contraception within four weeks prior to initiation of NuvaRing

  • Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome will be defined according to the updated Adult Treatment Panel III as 3 or more of the following criteria: blood pressure ≥130/85 mm Hg, waist circumference >35 inches, fasting glucose ≥110 mg/dL, TG ≥150 mg/dL, HDL-C <50 mg/dL.

  • Contraindications to NuvaRing use:

    • Age ≥ 35 plus tobacco use
    • Current or past deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
    • Cerebrovascular disease
    • Coronary artery disease
    • Thrombogenic valvular or rhythm diseases of the heart (such as subacute bacterial endocarditis with valvular disease or atrial fibrillation)
    • Inherited or acquired coagulopathy
    • Headaches with focal neurological symptoms or migraine headaches with aura
    • Age ≥ 35 plus any migraine headaches
    • Liver tumors, benign or malignant
    • Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding
    • Current or past breast cancer or other estrogen- or progestin-sensitive cancer
    • Hypersensitivity to any of the components of NuvaRing
    • Use of hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir
  • Medical comorbidities:

    • 21-hydroxylase deficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia
    • Untreated thyroid disease
    • Untreated hyperprolactinemia
    • Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus
    • Uncontrolled liver disease
    • Uncontrolled renal disease
    • Current alcohol abuse
    • Hypertension ≥ 140 mm Hg average systolic or ≥ 90 mm Hg average diastolic in women using anti-hypertensive medication
    • Hypertension ≥ 150 mm Hg average systolic or ≥ 100 mm Hg average diastolic in women not using anti-hypertensive medication
    • History of or current gynecologic cancer
    • Triglycerides >=250 mg/dL
    • Current use of lipid-lowering or weight loss agents
    • Participation in any study of an investigational drug or device or biologic agent within 30 days
    • Suspected adrenal or ovarian tumor secreting androgens
    • Suspected Cushing's syndrome
    • Bariatric surgery within 12 months
    • Other medical concerns that in the judgment of the investigator may compromise safety of the participant or confound the reliability of compliance and information acquired in this study

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Contraceptive RingEtonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ringEtonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring (NuvaRing), which releases 120 mcg of etonogestrel and 15 mcg of ethinyl estradiol daily.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome4 months

Metabolic Syndrome defined according to the updated Adult Treatment Panel III as 3 or more of the following criteria: blood pressure ≥130/85 mm Hg, waist circumference \>35 inches, fasting glucose ≥110 mg/dL, TG ≥150 mg/dL, HDL-C \<50 mg/dL.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) measure4 months
Change in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) measure4 months
Change in apolipoprotein A4 months
Change in fasting 2 hour oral Glucose Tolerance Test result4 months
Change in Ferriman-Gallwey Hirsutism score4 months

A lower score indicates less hirsutism. The F-G scoring system has a minimum value of 0, and a maximum value of 36.

Body Mass Index4 months
Change in scoring on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale4 months

The range of values is zero to 60, with the higher scores indicating the presence of more depressive symptoms.

Change in scoring on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory4 months

The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory measures both state and trait anxiety, the scores range from 20 to 80, with higher scores correlating with greater anxiety.

Change in scoring on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Quality of Life Questionnaire4 months

Worse quality of life is associated with a lower score on the questionnaire, with a range score from 30 to 210.

Change in cholesterol efflux capacity4 months
Change in triglycerides measure4 months
Change in apolipoprotein B4 months
Change in advanced lipid testing measure4 months
Change in fasting insulin level4 months
Change in Testosterone4 months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Pennsylvania

🇺🇸

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath