Effect on carbohydrate metabolism and analysis of acceptability (menstrual cycle control) of extended regimens of the vaginally inserted hormone-releasing system 'NuvaRing' as compared with the standard 21/7 regimen in reproductive-age women with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Aim. To evaluate the effect of the vaginally inserted hormone-releasing system 'NuvaRing (R)' on carbohydrate metabolism and acceptability (menstrual cycle control) of extended regimens of using as compared with the standard regimen (21/7) in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) in reproductive period during 24 months. Methods. The open randomised study included a total of 109 women with type 1 DM, using 'NuvaRing (R)' in different regimens (21/7, 42/7, 84/7 and 357/7). Average daily insulin requirements, the levels of glycosylated haemoglobin were determined at baseline, after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of contraception. The control group was composed of 22 age-matched women with type 1 DM using no methods of contraception. Results. Using the contraceptive system 'NuvaRing (R)' in type 1 DM women in the reproductive period has proved to exert no clinically significant effect on carbohydrate metabolism in prolonged regimens, as well as in standard regimen. The overall number of bleeding days and spotting days was comparable in different groups. Longer regimens with fewer breaks were associated with fewer days of bleeding but a larger number of spotting days as compared with the shorter regimens, with a tendency towards a gradual decrease in spotting days during a year. Conclusion. The releasing system 'NuvaRing (R)' proved to be a reliable and safe means of contraception for late reproductive age women with type 1 DM.