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Low dose contraceptive formulations: Is further reduction in steroid dosage justified?

  • Consensus Paper
  • Published:
Advances in Contraception

Conclusions

Low-dosage hormonal contraceptives could be reduced to contain 20 μg ethinyl estradiol with the gonane progestogens. Available data demonstrate that preparations with sufficient gestodene and desogestrel adequately to suppress ovulation and prevent pregnancy are well tolerated. As long as the patient takes the tablets as prescribed, they should provide effective contraception. The advantages and benefits of hormonal contraception are likely to be retained. It is still necessary to identify women at risk of thromboembolism since the incidence might appear to be more related to susceptiblity than estrogen dosage. However, dosage may be related to the pathogenesis of thromboembolism. The crucial test of these new formulations will be the demonstration of adequate suppression of ovarian function with maintained contraceptive efficacy and concomitant good cycle control.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of South Manchester, West Didsbury, M20 2LR, Manchester, UK

    Max Elstein

Authors
  1. Max Elstein
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Additional information

This paper has arisen out of a consensus meeting that was chaired by Professor Max Elstein on 14 May, 1993. Participants: Professors M. Breckwoldt, H. Hoogland, S.R. Killick, J. Spona, Drs H. Sullivan, U. Winkler.

Since this area of development in hormonal contraception is currently being pursued, it would be of interest to readers ofAdvances in Contraception.

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Elstein, M. Low dose contraceptive formulations: Is further reduction in steroid dosage justified?. Adv Contracept 10, 1–4 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01986523

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01986523

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