CYCLE CONTROL ON LOW-DOSE ORAL-CONTRACEPTIVES - A COMPARATIVE TRIAL

Cycle control was studied comparing the monophasic oral contraceptive Loestrin with three low-dose phasic preparations (Triphasil, Ortho 10 11 and Ortho 7/7/7) in 391 women of whom 300 completed 6 cycles. Loestrin subjects had a rate of occurrence (31% of cycles) for intermenstrual bleeding (IMB) comparable to the rates for subjects on the phasic preparations (36%, 37% and 37%, respectively). Triphasil subjects had lower rates than the Ortho 10 11 and Ortho 7/7/7 subjects (p < 0.01) in cycle one when all subjects were analyzed and in pre-study users when continuing menstrual flow (CMF) episodes were not included as IMB. IMB was a cause for dropping out of the study in 7% of subjects who were evenly distributed between groups. There were no differences between groups for BTB when perceived by subjects as a side effect. Spotting was perceived as a side effect more often with Ortho 10 11 and Ortho 7/7/7 use than with Triphasil (p < 0.01). Loestrin, Ortho 10 11 and Ortho 7/7/7 subjects were more likely to report amenorrhea (p < 0.001) and less likely to report leg cramps (p < 0.01) compared to those on Triphasil. Triphasil subjects were less likely to report acne than subjects on Ortho 7/7/7 (p < 0.01). © 1990.