Abstract: Disclosed are compositions for inhibiting transmission of a sexually transmitted infection that contain one or more polyanionic microbicides, such as carrageenans, including lambda carrageenan, as well as water-soluble metal salts and specified antiretroviral agents comprising NNRTIs and NRTIs. Also disclosed are methods for making and using the compositions. Also disclosed are intravaginal rings for delivering water-soluble compounds, and preferably high molecular weight water-soluble polymers at essentially a zero order rate. The rings include an outer layer of non-water-swellable elastomer, and preferably high molecular weight water-soluble polymer and an inner layer of the water-soluble polymer, which is imbedded in the outer layer, and an aperture through the outer layer for release thereof only through that aperture.

Abstract: Methods for treating neurodegeneration and/or myelination in patients are disclosed comprising treating the patient with a progestin compound which exerts binding to progesterone receptors and elicits progesterone-receptor-induced biological responses without interacting with the androgen receptor and without inducing androgen or glucocorticoid biological responses at a dosage sufficient to prevent or reduce neurodegeneration. The progestin compound preferably comprises 16-methylene-17?-acetoxy-19-norpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione, and the methods include combining the progestin compound with an estrogen compound to provide both contraception and treatment for myelin repair and neurodegeneration, and include effects on stroke and TBI.