Application for the Etonogestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol Ring

This study is enrolling healthy women ages 18-39yo who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, and are not using hormonal birth control. Initial screening visit will include a blood draw to assess if the participant has recently ovulated. If hormone test indicates ovulation occurred, participant will start the study 8 days after the start of their next menstrual period. On this study visit, vaginal ultrasound will be performed to look the ovaries for follicles. Vaginal ultrasound is then performed approximately every 2 days until the dominant follicle has grown into the size group assigned. When this occurs the participant will place the NuvaRing®, inside the vagina and blood will be drawn for hormone levels. Participant will then return daily the next 5 days (total of 6 daily visits) for vaginal ultrasound and blood draw to assess for signs of ovulation. After the 7th day the ring is in the vagina, the participant will remove the ring from her vagina at home. After removal, there will be twice weekly clinic visits for ultrasound and blood draw until menstrual bleeding occurs. At this point, participation in the study is complete. Participants are compensated for their time.

The study will be comprised of healthy, non-pregnant, non-breastfeeding, reproductive age women with regular, ovulatory cycles who are protected from unintended pregnancy via the concurrent use of non-hormonal methods of contraception. Participants will have a mid-luteal screening visit, which will include: informed consent, history, physical, vitals, and assessment of mid-luteal serum progesterone to confirm ovulatory status. Each participant will be assigned to one of three groups according the size of the leading follicle (12-14mm, 15-17mm, ≥18mm), which will determine the timing of the placement of the ENG/EE CVR. Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) will be performed three times per week, starting on day 8 of the menstrual cycle, until the leading follicle is within the assigned group. On that day the CVR will be placed and, including day of placement, there will be 6 daily visits with hormonal assays (progesterone, luteinizing hormone) and TVUS to assess for signs of ovulation. Compliance with CVR placement will be assessed through the measurement of serum ENG. After 7 days, participants will remove the CVR at home. Participants will then have biweekly visits until onset of menses to obtain serum progesterone levels and TVUS to assess for signs of delayed ovulation.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy, women ages 18 to 39yo with BMI \<30
* Regular menstrual cycles with duration between 24-35 days
* Completion of screening visit where ovulation will be assessed with blood draw for progesterone level (must be 5ng/mL or greater)
* Not seeking pregnancy during the study period
* Use of a non-hormonal form of contraception, such as: sterilization (tubal ligation, Essure), copper IUD (intrauterine device), barrier methods or abstinence
* Must speak English or Spanish

Exclusion Criteria:

* Currently pregnant or breastfeeding
* Severe pelvic organ prolapse or prolapse to any degree that may prevent retention of the vaginal ring after insertion
* Use of oral contraceptive pills, patches, implants or hormonal intrauterine contraception in the month prior to screening
* Use of depo medroxyprogesterone within 6 months of screening
* Use of medications that interact with contraceptive steroid hormones: anti-epileptic medications, rifampin, rifabutin, fosamprenavir, etc
* Medical condition with safety deemed to be category 3 or 4 when using a combined hormonal contraceptive, as determined by the Center for Disease Control Medical Eligibility Criteria: current or past history of breast cancer, severe decompensated cirrhosis, history of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolus, diabetes with nephropathy/retinopathy/neuropathy or other vascular disease diagnosed more than 20 years ago, current symptomatic gallbladder disease, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, known thrombogenic mutations, hepatocellular adenoma, malignant hepatoma, multiple risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis with prolonged immobility, history of peripartum cardiomyopathy, cigarette smoking and ≥35yo, history of complicated solid organ transplant, history of stroke, history of superficial venous thrombosis not associated with catheter, systemic lupus erythematosus with positive antiphospholipid antibodies, valvular heart disease complicated by pulmonary hypertension or atrial fibrillation or bacterial endocarditis, and acute viral hepatitis