First-in-line 3D-printed intravaginal ring for nonhormonal contraception

First-in-line 3D-printed intravaginal ring for nonhormonal contraception | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article First-in-line 3D-printed intravaginal ring for nonhormonal contraception Sarah Anne Howard, Maimoona S Bhutta, Rima Janusziewicz, Andrés Prieto Trujillo, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7935107/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 12 Jan, 2026 Read the published version in Drug Delivery and Translational Research → Version 1 posted 5 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract With nearly half of all pregnancies occurring unintended, effective and acceptable contraceptive options remain a global necessity. Though contraceptives with extended durations of action reduce the need for strict daily adherence, thus enhancing compliance and reliability, only one of these methods – the copper intrauterine device (IUD) – prevents pregnancy without administering exogenous hormones. Herein, we demonstrate co-delivery of two nonhormonal contraceptive agents, lactic acid (LA) and glycerol monolaurate (GML), using a next-generation 3D-printed intravaginal ring (IVR). Through alterations in ring properties and drug loading, a range of LA and GML release rates were achieved in vitro , demonstrating the flexibility of the platform technology. Rings elicited sustained release of LA and GML at target release rates over 30 days or longer. Additionally, these studies explored how drugs with different physiochemical properties interact within the IVR matrix and further elucidated IVR drug loading and release mechanisms. Nonhormonal contraception 3D printed IVR long-acting delivery sperm motility spermicidal activity Full Text Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 12 Jan, 2026 Read the published version in Drug Delivery and Translational Research → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Major Revisions Needed 01 Dec, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 11 Nov, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 11 Nov, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 31 Oct, 2025 First submitted to journal 29 Oct, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7935107","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":543562947,"identity":"ac85678b-3998-4ace-9aea-8ebd04e21e12","order_by":0,"name":"Sarah Anne Howard","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"UNC-Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Sarah","middleName":"Anne","lastName":"Howard","suffix":""},{"id":543562948,"identity":"39c54bee-a750-4e2e-b66e-406a9061ebcf","order_by":1,"name":"Maimoona S Bhutta","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Old Dominion University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Maimoona","middleName":"S","lastName":"Bhutta","suffix":""},{"id":543562949,"identity":"fead346e-91c7-4d09-b53a-c495bb9678a9","order_by":2,"name":"Rima Janusziewicz","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"UNC-Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Rima","middleName":"","lastName":"Janusziewicz","suffix":""},{"id":543562950,"identity":"ff7814af-d34e-44d0-b516-989a67002da1","order_by":3,"name":"Andrés Prieto Trujillo","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"UNC CH: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Andrés","middleName":"Prieto","lastName":"Trujillo","suffix":""},{"id":543562951,"identity":"8028fc87-ca37-48c2-ae02-6d9d0691c98b","order_by":4,"name":"Ava L. Cohen","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"UNC CH: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ava","middleName":"L.","lastName":"Cohen","suffix":""},{"id":543562952,"identity":"7d85ef3a-ffe7-4acf-9b53-c62799c61100","order_by":5,"name":"Gustavo F. Doncel","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Old Dominion University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Gustavo","middleName":"F.","lastName":"Doncel","suffix":""},{"id":543562953,"identity":"96e42794-4aa5-4479-a652-a99dd96ce6ce","order_by":6,"name":"S. Rahima Benhabbour","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA4klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACAwYGNgbGBgY5EOfAA6ioBDFajMFaEkjRktgA4hGlxZy999iDnzvq0vvFDj8E2nI4j7+B+eBtHjxaLHvOpRv2njmcO3N2mgFIS7HEAbZka3xaDG7kmEnwth3I3XA7AawlcQMDj5k0Xi3335hJ/m2rS7e/nf4BqoX/G34tN4Bm8rYxJxhI58BtYcOrxbInx0xa9sxhwxm3cwoOJBikJ844zGZsOQePFnP2M2aSb3fUyfPPTt/84UOFdWJ/e/PDG2/waEF3JxAzE698FIyCUTAKRgEOAABIC06WxjzbNwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4738-5871","institution":"UNC-Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"S.","middleName":"Rahima","lastName":"Benhabbour","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-10-23 20:37:05","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7935107/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7935107/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13346-025-02038-w","type":"published","date":"2026-01-12T16:30:29+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":96462187,"identity":"21419233-05be-47f5-9f7b-54cc8ac7357d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"xml","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":11211,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"ddtrDDTRD2501745.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/ae15fa733b5d626ab8b5735a.xml"},{"id":96462190,"identity":"df1758f6-5465-404e-8c10-b2bf42b73e49","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"xml","order_by":2,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":950,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"DDTRD250174525513.go.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/802d7bd12a012c30d0edc7d9.xml"},{"id":96602939,"identity":"a25ac078-2efc-4da2-b15b-46387433b1fa","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-24 09:05:09","extension":"xml","order_by":3,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":866,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"DDTRD2501745Import.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/37d04c0033d58df90736a0f9.xml"},{"id":96462188,"identity":"b5e5a79e-5121-47d5-85fd-98ad4951ed42","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"xml","order_by":4,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":132153,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"DDTRD25017450enriched.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/5d784e1561eefb918a267392.xml"},{"id":96462191,"identity":"6dce49e7-f1c8-495f-ad11-99f9e6efc18f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"png","order_by":5,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":947396,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/e67bd05b5e8c5d82af93f286.png"},{"id":96462193,"identity":"484c78f6-a567-49aa-8a8a-7ec3069e511d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"emf","order_by":6,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":503688,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage10.emf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/1533b643165dd4a978ecbb37.emf"},{"id":96462194,"identity":"13903bb8-fa2e-4ca4-98b1-dceaa44184bf","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"png","order_by":7,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":402828,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage11.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/a5aebb5fce28761cac4e2de5.png"},{"id":96603394,"identity":"a9a0cf32-7434-4e8b-a840-3385c6595629","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-24 09:08:54","extension":"jpeg","order_by":8,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":407019,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage12.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/300f9d80432610c5385aa7dc.jpeg"},{"id":96462197,"identity":"f217f94c-0e2b-40e9-9f69-cdb0be114ba4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"png","order_by":9,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":307314,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage13.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/a4537ad6a1bf21d1a78e90e8.png"},{"id":96602803,"identity":"958c4611-98a8-4cf2-b59e-61b490ff0d67","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-24 09:02:06","extension":"jpeg","order_by":10,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":507896,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage14.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/8ec14cfc50fda7ec0e04ed35.jpeg"},{"id":96602897,"identity":"6f075a33-3f22-4eaa-a16c-7c1f36de10a0","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-24 09:04:23","extension":"emf","order_by":11,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":428204,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage15.emf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/119c9663aaee7bb73738ce05.emf"},{"id":96603002,"identity":"3bf25543-41c9-406f-bba9-02c5dbbdb64c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-24 09:05:58","extension":"jpeg","order_by":12,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":231795,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage16.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/1412747755cce625f855bb0a.jpeg"},{"id":96462210,"identity":"9cb4063d-b1cd-44e5-81d8-645d2846a769","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"jpeg","order_by":13,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":483217,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage17.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/dab5e4ee5480e2a862feed64.jpeg"},{"id":96602958,"identity":"cd395835-011b-48f0-a4f1-28d0bf22dd7a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-24 09:05:30","extension":"png","order_by":14,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":6281,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage18.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/d7718c6933a778c2c7b59e56.png"},{"id":96462200,"identity":"b40e9268-988e-44ad-b89f-b5e3b7cea65f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"jpeg","order_by":15,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":314208,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage2.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/5bfde059b62f934a92599bd4.jpeg"},{"id":96603574,"identity":"9c15de6b-6100-4a5b-95e3-99124a5cd61d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-24 09:10:17","extension":"jpeg","order_by":16,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":144430,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage3.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/b2be5b1fd4beb7e34575dacd.jpeg"},{"id":96603112,"identity":"ad9b71d7-b52a-4f7c-b54f-2cd21f29ac8c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-24 09:06:57","extension":"emf","order_by":17,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":388476,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage4.emf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/7bf5ef67bc5b6bc71f24c590.emf"},{"id":96603492,"identity":"f51b1759-fa73-4fce-b1bf-89233604b855","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-24 09:09:34","extension":"emf","order_by":18,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":389996,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage5.emf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/4180ea7ba3040521daf70272.emf"},{"id":96462229,"identity":"ebc920e7-477e-497c-89c3-64e93466a4c5","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:17","extension":"emf","order_by":19,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":693908,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage6.emf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/86a514632252f39718334498.emf"},{"id":96462202,"identity":"4f447500-8a01-4d95-9f4f-d024ae45c837","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"emf","order_by":20,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":652756,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage7.emf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/70189456bd5160bb17ce70f8.emf"},{"id":96602899,"identity":"760913d9-6377-48be-9240-91c8a6b73d0d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-24 09:04:23","extension":"emf","order_by":21,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":717544,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage8.emf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/831e26cbe38abee44046c40d.emf"},{"id":96462201,"identity":"7377425d-d3c7-49a3-9141-d7c93b6be498","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"emf","order_by":22,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":779520,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage9.emf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/c78ed97f83816c26fee3d932.emf"},{"id":96462209,"identity":"e61f0dd4-664d-4999-bf02-4a2afb46dec9","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"png","order_by":23,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":122470,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/a996b99f13abb5b3be7932b2.png"},{"id":96462204,"identity":"d09d8019-3461-480e-b60f-2e1bbe020710","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"png","order_by":24,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":4610,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage10.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/897c4b71e4da4b4a86896b4c.png"},{"id":96603088,"identity":"fa5f6dcb-fdb6-430e-9b84-646a0181b901","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-24 09:06:46","extension":"png","order_by":25,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":60511,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage11.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/4907506f6abb07523f08365f.png"},{"id":96462205,"identity":"241956d1-9b17-42e2-b8f2-3e12af9b34a8","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"png","order_by":26,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":169256,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage12.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/2b2a4957b7ce74cf16087b54.png"},{"id":96603469,"identity":"425ad8b5-b58b-4e79-ac5c-60503bd5d9a0","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-24 09:09:26","extension":"png","order_by":27,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":49684,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage13.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/ffc8a50ac4a3113144f503ec.png"},{"id":96462213,"identity":"7adeafd5-3194-4f75-9cc1-e62ab89e7524","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"png","order_by":28,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":348030,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage14.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/e271fe2876c020424c8640ee.png"},{"id":96603402,"identity":"c38ff8a8-702b-4230-a7e1-08209efdd89e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-24 09:08:58","extension":"png","order_by":29,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":3320,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage15.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/795468f59f28145aec8cec27.png"},{"id":96462222,"identity":"4e98e654-3a10-4dcb-8f91-c5c054b46bdf","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"png","order_by":30,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":108266,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage16.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/af2e996b520d26f363eb6298.png"},{"id":96462211,"identity":"d7bb7181-1418-411a-9cd0-db8bb09bfeb4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"png","order_by":31,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":126340,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage17.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/4ccb0604ad477d2f4affd070.png"},{"id":96603524,"identity":"bfc8c52a-6849-4209-9648-5526b227de73","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-24 09:09:44","extension":"png","order_by":32,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":5764,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage18.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/4cb18e469b6589fa15636efe.png"},{"id":96462223,"identity":"85a62668-baa1-476a-b41f-3233ce701795","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"png","order_by":33,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":127171,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/98e083cb76306a924fca8d60.png"},{"id":96462225,"identity":"f505082e-cfe1-4179-83a4-b55a500798c2","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"png","order_by":34,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":77635,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/a17dff787a15a7224f8a6773.png"},{"id":96462216,"identity":"d136264b-616b-4cb5-9fc1-a635c8a2fd61","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"png","order_by":35,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":2917,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/b9c343a27bab1fd2ad629470.png"},{"id":96603734,"identity":"9cf4e78e-d1b8-419b-b7ba-05a89dd6ded8","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-24 09:11:21","extension":"png","order_by":36,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":2524,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage5.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/3326a3e9be436e36b497f356.png"},{"id":96462214,"identity":"5429fb5b-6617-44cf-81d5-2f0f0f5a2110","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"png","order_by":37,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":4387,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage6.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/235a17f789af82409dd30e4b.png"},{"id":96603106,"identity":"0064edaf-3841-4146-9975-fa18fd5347d2","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-24 09:06:55","extension":"png","order_by":38,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":4388,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage7.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/5713595b167b2ce6433da952.png"},{"id":96462224,"identity":"7244687f-583a-41c0-98a3-e6d917402ca4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"png","order_by":39,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":4931,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage8.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/0fd346cfadfaaa6b13e97598.png"},{"id":96462219,"identity":"d9f2fef6-b4be-44dd-9492-cfbc8cecacd0","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"png","order_by":40,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":5716,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage9.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/21329fd569f7bcede2b80ca2.png"},{"id":96462226,"identity":"c772a4eb-9aac-43b3-a1a9-0307c5d49b1c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-21 10:33:16","extension":"xml","order_by":41,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":130570,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"DDTRD25017450structuring.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/a55ff0afe6b438cbcf8baddd.xml"},{"id":96603333,"identity":"d5fbe240-583f-4843-8488-9686d92fb697","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-24 09:08:19","extension":"html","order_by":42,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":151044,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"earlyproof.html","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1/8df11039233524372240d50c.html"},{"id":100614808,"identity":"801a6876-2fe5-420e-8bc6-f8fed4788f3f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-19 17:25:50","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1673272,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"NHCIVRManuscriptFINALSubmission.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7935107/v1_covered_e022cf22-00b1-4e1f-abef-abf6c877189a.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"First-in-line 3D-printed intravaginal ring for nonhormonal contraception","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"drug-delivery-and-translational-research","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"ddtr","sideBox":"Learn more about [Drug Delivery and Translational Research](https://www.springer.com/journal/13346)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/ddtr/default.aspx","title":"Drug Delivery and Translational Research","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Nonhormonal contraception, 3D printed IVR, long-acting delivery, sperm motility, spermicidal activity","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7935107/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7935107/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eWith nearly half of all pregnancies occurring unintended, effective and acceptable contraceptive options remain a global necessity. Though contraceptives with extended durations of action reduce the need for strict daily adherence, thus enhancing compliance and reliability, only one of these methods – the copper intrauterine device (IUD) – prevents pregnancy without administering exogenous hormones. Herein, we demonstrate co-delivery of two nonhormonal contraceptive agents, lactic acid (LA) and glycerol monolaurate (GML), using a next-generation 3D-printed intravaginal ring (IVR). Through alterations in ring properties and drug loading, a range of LA and GML release rates were achieved \u003cem\u003ein vitro\u003c/em\u003e, demonstrating the flexibility of the platform technology. Rings elicited sustained release of LA and GML at target release rates over 30 days or longer. Additionally, these studies explored how drugs with different physiochemical properties interact within the IVR matrix and further elucidated IVR drug loading and release mechanisms.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"First-in-line 3D-printed intravaginal ring for nonhormonal contraception","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-11-21 10:33:11","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7935107/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Major Revisions Needed","date":"2025-12-01T11:10:42+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"","date":"2025-11-11T22:24:10+00:00","index":0,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-11-11T22:09:54+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-10-31T06:00:08+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Drug Delivery and Translational Research","date":"2025-10-29T18:06:47+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"drug-delivery-and-translational-research","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"ddtr","sideBox":"Learn more about [Drug Delivery and Translational Research](https://www.springer.com/journal/13346)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/ddtr/default.aspx","title":"Drug Delivery and Translational Research","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"81757899-950c-4f3e-9e56-a4abcc1c2928","owner":[],"postedDate":"November 21st, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-01-19T16:50:16+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-7935107","link":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13346-025-02038-w","journal":{"identity":"drug-delivery-and-translational-research","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Drug Delivery and Translational Research"},"publishedOn":"2026-01-12 16:30:29","publishedOnDateReadable":"January 12th, 2026"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-11-21 10:33:11","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1007/s13346-025-02038-w","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13346-025-02038-w","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7935107","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7935107","identity":"rs-7935107","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}