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Review of clinical experience with estradiol in combined oral contraceptives

Fruzzetti, Franca and Bitzer, Johannes. (2010) Review of clinical experience with estradiol in combined oral contraceptives. Contraception, Vol. 81, H. 1. pp. 8-15.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A6003026

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Abstract

Previous attempts to replace ethinylestradiol (EE) with 17beta-estradiol (E2) in combined oral contraceptives (COCs) have proved unsatisfactory in terms of bleeding outcomes. A review of previous studies of E2-based COCs has shown that, despite good ovulation inhibition, bleeding irregularities affected up to 100% of women, often resulting in high rates of discontinuation (up to 42%). Suggested reasons for the bleeding irregularities observed with these predominantly monophasic estradiol-progestin preparations included suboptimal doses of E2 and an inappropriate estrogen/progestin ratio. The progestin used in the investigated formulations (e.g., norethisterone acetate, desogestrel and cyproterone acetate) may also have affected the overall bleeding profile. More recent studies of a multiphasic COC containing estradiol valerate (E2V) and dienogest (DNG) indicate efficient ovulation inhibition and acceptable cycle control. In a randomized, double-blind trial that compared E2V/DNG with a monophasic COC comprising EE/levonorgestrel (LNG), the occurrence of scheduled withdrawal bleeding per cycle with E2V/DNG and EE/LNG was 77.7-83.2% and 89.5-93.8%, respectively. The intensity and duration of withdrawal bleeding was reduced with E2V/DNG. The incidence of intracyclic bleeding was similar with E2V/DNG (10.5-18.6%) and EE/LNG (9.9-17.1%). This review shows that after several unsatisfactory attempts to develop E2-based COCs, more recent studies employing endometrial-focused progestins, e.g., DNG, and multiphasic dosing regimens appear to be a promising approach for an E2-based COC that provides efficient ovulation inhibition and acceptable cycle control.
Faculties and Departments:03 Faculty of Medicine > Bereich Spezialfächer (Klinik) > Ehemalige Einheiten Spezialfächer (Klinik) > Geburtshilfliche und Gynäkologische Psychosomatik (Bitzer)
03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Klinische Forschung > Bereich Spezialfächer (Klinik) > Ehemalige Einheiten Spezialfächer (Klinik) > Geburtshilfliche und Gynäkologische Psychosomatik (Bitzer)
UniBasel Contributors:Bitzer, Johannes
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Elsevier Science
ISSN:0010-7824
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
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Last Modified:08 Nov 2012 16:23
Deposited On:08 Nov 2012 16:21

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