Cycle Control, Safety and Acceptability of a New Oral
Contraceptive Containing Ethinylestradiol
15 Micrograms and Gestodene 60 Micrograms
Ladakan Jaithitivit MD*,
Unnop Jaisamrarn MD, MHS*, Surasak Taneepanichskul MD, MPH*
Affiliation :
* Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To determine cycle control, safety, and acceptability of a 24-day oral contraceptive regimen containing 15 micrograms
of ethinylestradiol and 60 micrograms of gestodene.
Material and Method: This was an open-label, non-comparative study. Healthy women 18 to 35 years old who attended the
Family Planning Clinic of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital were assigned to receive six cycles of the study oral
contraceptives, administered daily for 24 days and followed by a 4-day hormone-free interval. Data on bleeding patterns, side
effects, body weight, blood pressure, and satisfaction were collected. Descriptive statistics and paired t test were used for the
analysis.
Results : Ninety-four women completed the present study. There was no pregnancy reported during the present study.
Percentages of breakthrough bleeding and spotting were higher in the first cycle (2.1% and 6.4%), then decreased and
disappeared after the third cycle. There was no significant change in the body weight and the blood pressure. Only minimal
side effects were reported and 93.6% of the women were satisfied or very satisfied. Furthermore, 91.5% would continue using
this oral contraceptive.
Conclusion : This new oral contraceptive, a combination of 15 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 60 micrograms of
gestodene has acceptable cycle control, minimal side effects, and good acceptability.
Keywords : Ethinylestradiol, Gestodene, Oral contraceptive, Cycle control
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