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Impact of Contraceptives on Cervico-Vaginal Mucosa

The UMPALA Study: A Clinical Study to Assess the Impact of Contraceptives on the Cervico-Vaginal Mucosa

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04814927
Acronym
UMPALA
Enrollment
112
Registered
2021-03-24
Start date
2021-03-01
Completion date
2022-12-15
Last updated
2023-08-25

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Mucosal Inflammation, Contraceptive; Complications, Intrauterine

Keywords

Contraception, Reproductive health, Copper IUD, Etonogestrel implant, DMPA sub-cutaneous, Levonorgestrel IUS

Brief summary

UMPALA is a research study to look at the effect of four different, approved contraceptives on the cervical and vaginal tissues as well as on factors in the blood. Participants will have a baseline examination then receive one of four approved, marketed contraceptive products. Cervico-vaginal assessments will take place 4 weeks after contraceptive initiation and 3 months after to assess changes in mucosal safety after use of various contraceptive products in young, healthy, HIV uninfected women.

Detailed description

This clinical study will complete approximately 12 healthy, non-pregnant, HIV-uninfected women aged 18-50 years per contraceptive arm, who are at low risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at two clinical sites, for a total of approximately 96 completed participants. The study will examine changes from baseline, pre-contraceptive dosing to post contraceptive dosing of cervico-vaginal mucosal safety and adverse events. Participants at each site will be randomized (1:1:1:1) to one of four, marketed, approved contraceptive dosing forms: Levonorgestrel (LNG) 52 mg. Intrauterine System (IUS), Copper Intrauterine Device (IUD), etonogestrel (ETG, Nexplanon, Implanon) contraceptive implant, or DMPA SC contraceptive injection. Enrollment is expected to take approximately 8 months and each participant is expected to complete the study within 4 months.

Interventions

Participants randomized to Copper IUD will receive Paragard IUD at Visit 2.

Participants randomized to ETG implant will receive the implant at Visit 2.

Participants randomized to LNG intrauterine system will receive the IUS at Visit 2.

DRUGDMPA Sub-cutaneous

Participants randomized to DMPA SC will receive the injection at Visit 2.

Sponsors

CONRAD
CollaboratorOTHER
Kenya Medical Research Institute
CollaboratorOTHER
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
CollaboratorFED
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Intervention model description

Participants at each site will receive one of four marketed, approved contraceptive products for the duration of the study.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Age 18 to 50 years, inclusive * In general good health without any significant systemic disease and with an intact uterus and cervix. * History of Pap smears and follow-up consistent with standard, local clinical practice or willing to undergo a Pap smear at Visit 1 * Willing to give voluntary consent and sign an informed consent form * Willing and able to comply with protocol requirements, including accepting randomization to study contraceptive products * If currently on a contraceptive product, willing to go off products and use condoms for birth control for a specified time * If in a relationship, must be with a partner who is not known to be HIV positive and has no know risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Exclusion criteria

* Positive pregnancy test or plans to become pregnant during the course of the study * Currently exclusively breastfeeding or planning to exclusively breastfeed during the course of the study * Less than six weeks from a delivery of an infant greater than 20 weeks gestation * Use of DMPA in the past 4 months * Clinical signs and symptoms of menopause * Current WHO or CDC medical eligibility criteria level 3 or 4 for any contraceptive product to which a participant could receive at the clinical site * History of sensitivity/allergy to any component of the study product, topical anesthetic, or to both silver nitrate and Monsel's solution * Current infection with Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), Neisseria gonorrhea (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) * Current positive test for HIV * History of a pulmonary embolus or deep vein thrombosis * Chronic or acute vulvar or vaginal symptoms (pain, irritation, spotting/bleeding, discharge, etc) * Known blood disorder, eg. von Willebrands disease, that could lead to prolonged or continuous bleeding with biopsy * Chronic use systemic corticosteroids, antibiotics, antimycobacterials, anticoagulants or other drugs known to prolong bleeding and/or promote clotting, antifungals, or antivirals or antiretrovirals. * Current or anticipated chronic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen for the duration of the study * Participation in any other investigational trial with use of a drug/device within the last 30 days or planned participation in any other investigational trial with use of a drug/device during the study * Abnormal finding on laboratory or physical examination or a social or medical condition in which, in the opinion of the investigator, would make participation in the study unsafe or would complicate interpretation of the data

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of participants with changes to mucosal function4 weeks and 3 months after product useEvaluate mucosal factors and microbiome changes from baseline associated with mucosal function and reproductive health, including vaginal glycogen, pH, lactic acid, soluble markers and immune cells.
Number of participants with changes to mucosal health4 weeks and 3 months after product useEvaluate mucosal factors and microbiome changes from baseline associated with mucosal function and reproductive health, including vaginal glycogen, pH, lactic acid, soluble markers and immune cells.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of participants with systemic inflammation4 weeks and 3 months after product useEvaluate changes from baseline in systemic factors associated with reproductive health, including C reactive protein and hormone concentrations.

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Mucosal susceptibility to pathogens4 weeks and 3 months after product useModel mucosal susceptibility to STIs ex vivo at baseline and after contraceptive use

Countries

Kenya, United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026