A continuous regimen of levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol for contraception and elimination of menstruation. 2008

Jeffrey T Jensen
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA. jensenje@ohsu.edu

Clinicians and patients desiring amenorrhea for therapeutic or social reasons will find continuous-use 90 microg levonorgestrel/20 microg ethinyl estradiol to be an attractive oral contraceptive dosing option. Although other formulations of oral contraceptives can be dosed in a continuous manner off-label, the convenience of a 28-day dose pack represents a major advance that will likely increase acceptability of the strategy. The availability of FDA-approved continuous-use 90 microg levonorgestrel/20 microg ethinyl estradiol will help mainstream continuous oral contraception in the same way that Preven and Plan B helped legitimize and mainstream emergency contraception. Patients wishing to use continuous 90 microg levonorgestrel/20 microg ethinyl estradiol must recognize and accept that unscheduled breakthrough bleeding is typical during the first four to six cycles of use. Control of cycle-related symptoms may emerge as an off-label indication for use.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008598 Menstruation The periodic shedding of the ENDOMETRIUM and associated menstrual bleeding in the MENSTRUAL CYCLE of humans and primates. Menstruation is due to the decline in circulating PROGESTERONE, and occurs at the late LUTEAL PHASE when LUTEOLYSIS of the CORPUS LUTEUM takes place.
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D002986 Clinical Trials as Topic Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries. Clinical Trial as Topic
D003277 Contraceptives, Oral, Combined Fixed drug combinations administered orally for contraceptive purposes. Combined Oral Contraceptive,Contraceptive Agents, Female, Combined,Oral Contraceptives, Combined,Combined Oral Contraceptives,Contraceptive, Combined Oral,Contraceptives, Combined Oral,Oral Contraceptive, Combined
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D019304 Ethinyl Estradiol-Norgestrel Combination ETHINYL ESTRADIOL and NORGESTREL given in fixed proportions. Norgestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol Combination,Adepal,Anteovin,Eugynon,Gravistat,Leios,Minisiston,Nordette,Ovidon,Ovral,Pearl Oral Contraceptive,Rigevidon,Sequostat,Stediril,Trigynon,Trinordiol,Triphasil,Triquilar,Trisiston,Trisistone R,Trisistone-R,Contraceptive, Pearl Oral,Estradiol Combination, Norgestrel-Ethinyl,Estradiol-Norgestrel Combination, Ethinyl,Ethinyl Estradiol Norgestrel Combination,Norgestrel Ethinyl Estradiol Combination,Oral Contraceptive, Pearl,TrisistoneR

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