A clinical trial was conducted to determine the effects of a norethindrone-containing triphasic oral contraceptive, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7, on lipid, carbohydrate, and androgen metabolism in 22 women during 12 cycles of use. Examinations were made in two consecutive cycles before treatment and after 3, 6, 9, and 12 cycles of treatment. Treatment consisted of ethinyl estradiol, 35 micrograms/d for 21 days, together with norethindrone in stepwise-increasing doses of 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 mg/d, with each dose given for seven days. Only a minimal impact on lipid metabolism was observed during treatment. There were no unfavorable changes in any HDL-related measurement. HDL-cholesterol and alpha levels were not altered in any cycle. The HDL:LDL ratio was not significantly altered during treatment. LDL cholesterol levels were also unaltered during treatment, but there were slight elevations in other LDL-related measurements in some cycles. Total cholesterol, phospholipid, and triglyceride levels were elevated in cycle 9, and triglyceride levels also increased in cycle 3, but no significant changes were observed in these levels at any other sampling times. Carbohydrate metabolism did not change significantly as indicated by mean fasting levels of glucose, insulin, and HbA1c or by levels of these parameters after a glucose load. Changes observed in androgenic parameters indicate the lack of androgenicity. The results of this study demonstrate that Ortho-Novum 7/7/7 use results in a minimal impact on lipid metabolism, no change in carbohydrate metabolism, and no potential for androgenic side effects.