Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and Acute Failure Modes Study of the PATH Woman's Condom and FC2 Female Condom (CONRAD-108)

CONRAD

Status

Completed

Conditions

Birth Control

Treatments

Device: WC then FC2

Device: FC2 then WC

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT01178840

CONRAD-108

Details and patient eligibility

About

This is a comparative, open-label two-period crossover study of up to 505 couples comparing the PATH Woman's Condom to the FC2 female condom. California Family Health Council will enroll up to 505 couples to have 375 complete both periods. The study will provide data on functional performance, vaginal semen exposure, safety, and acceptability of the two female condoms.

Both partners will be required to come to the clinic to be consented for the study. If both members of the couple meet all eligibility requirements, they will each sign an informed consent form and will be enrolled as a couple. The couples will be randomized to one of two female condom use sequences for the two periods (WC then FC2 or FC2 then WC). For the first period of 2-4 weeks, the couple will be asked to have sex once without a condom and 4 times using the first assigned female condom. For the second period of 2-4 weeks, the couple will be asked to have sex 4 times using the second assigned female condom. In the first period, the couple will have one act of unprotected sex for which they will collect pre- and post-coital vaginal swabs. The couple will also use 4 female condoms of the assigned type. They will be asked to collect pre- and post-coital vaginal swabs and a post-coital swab from the condom interior. The couple will complete a detailed Condom Use Questionnaire together after each condom use. An Acceptability Questionnaire will be completed separately by males and females at the end of each study period. Couples may have additional acts of sex during each period as they desire but will not have sex at least 48 hours prior to each study sex act. After a follow-up visit, the procedures will be repeated with 4 of the second assigned condom type but without the collection of vaginal swabs at unprotected intercourse. Each couple will be enrolled for about 2-3 months, depending on the intervals between sex acts. Clinicians evaluating product-relatedness of AEs will be blinded to the condom type used. Male partners will be requested to attend the final visit, and, if they experience adverse events, the followup and/or unscheduled visits.

Full description

Purpose: To compare the performance of a new female condom (PATH Woman's Condom) with an FDA-approved female condom (FC2), as assessed by reported clinical failure and vaginal PSA

Design: This is a comparative, open-label two-period crossover study of up to 505 couples comparing the PATH Woman's Condom to the FC2 female condom. We will enroll up to 505 couples at the California Family Health Council to have 375 complete both periods. The study will provide data on functional performance, vaginal semen exposure, safety, and acceptability of the two female condoms.

Primary objective: To compare the performance of the PATH Woman's Condom (WC) to the FC2, as assessed by self-reported total clinical failure and its components (clinical breakage, slippage, misdirection, and invagination).

Secondary objectives:

To compare the ability of the WC and the FC2 to prevent vaginal exposure to semen, as indicated by detection of PSA within the vagina
To calculate the sensitivity and specificity of reported failures using PSA as the gold standard for the presence of semen
To compare acceptability of the WC and FC2

Study Population: Healthy heterosexual couples at least 18 years of age and at low risk for pregnancy or STIs.

Study Size: up to 505 couples divided between multiple recruitment locations under one center.

Study Duration: Accrual will require approximately 14 months. Each couple will be expected to complete the study in 2-3 months. Therefore, the clinical portion of the study should be completed within approximately 17 months. Data preparation, analysis, and report writing are expected to require up to 7 months after completion of the clinical portion.

Treatment Regimen: The couples will be randomized to one of two condom use sequences (WC then FC2 or FC2 then WC). Four condoms of each type will be used by couples over two 2-4 week periods. For first period, one set of pre- and post-coital vaginal swabs will be collected around unprotected intercourse. For each coital act where a condom is used in the period, pre and post-coital vaginal swabs and a post-coital condom swab will be collected. A Condom Use Questionnaire will be completed after each condom use. An Acceptability Questionnaire will be completed at the end of each period. After a follow-up visit, these procedures will be repeated with the second 4 condoms, without collection of vaginal swabs at unprotected intercourse.

Study Center: California Family Health Council

Funding Source: United States Agency for International Development (USAID) & National Institute for Child Health and Development (NICHD)

Enrollment

505 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Heterosexual couples
Mutual monogamy for 3 or more months
Both partners are 18 years of age or greater
Using effective contraception for more than 3 months, including hormonal methods (oral, injectable, or transdermal), intrauterine device, contraceptive implant, male or female sterilization
Agree to remain monogamous for the duration of the study
Agree not to wear any genital piercing jewelry while using study condoms
Agree not to use sex toys or drugs intended to enhance or diminish sexual response when using a study condom
Evidence of general good health without contraindication to sexual activity
Couple has vaginal intercourse at least 4 times in a typical month
Male partner agrees to ejaculate during intercourse using female condoms
Willing and able to participate as required by protocol

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria for couple (either partner)

Intent or desire to become pregnant within 3 months
STIs in the past 6 months, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, or newly acquired HSV
Couple routinely uses condoms due to concern for STIs (for more than 90% of sex acts)
Known HIV infection
At high risk for HIV infection, including having shared injection drug needles or having had sex with someone suspected to have HIV (without having had a negative HIV test since the possible exposure).
Allergies to polyurethane or nitrile plastics, or vaginal lubricants (silicone or Astroglide)
Recent surgery or biopsy of the male or female genitalia, within the past 60 days including the vulva, vagina, cervix, penis, prostate, vas deferens, or testes
Current participation in a study or other research involving a drug, device, or other product. (Participation in an observational study is not exclusionary).

Exclusion criteria for female partner

Positive pregnancy test
Within 2 months of the end of pregnancy
Concern for current pregnancy: history of unprotected intercourse since last menses without consistent use of other contraception
Use of a contraceptive vaginal ring (Nuvaring)
Current use of vaginal products, for treatment of vaginal infection
Routine use of diaphragm or vaginal pessary
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (oligomenorrhea and hirsutism or prior diagnosis)
Distorted vaginal anatomy (e.g. vaginal septum or pelvic prolapse)

Exclusion criteria for male partner

Difficulty maintaining an erection or achieving ejaculation in the last two months
At high risk for HIV infection, including having had anal sex with a man in the last year
Prior prostate surgery
History of or current prostate cancer
Use of medication for a prostate condition
Hypospadias or other abnormal penile or male urethral anatomy