The effect of injectable norethisterone oenanthate on ovarian hormones in Thai women
Werawatgoompa, S.; Vaivanijkul, B.; Leepipatpaiboon, S.; Channiyom, K.; Virutamasen, P.; Dusitsin, N.
Contraception 21(3): 299-309
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0010-7824 PMID: 7389353 DOI: 10.1016/0010-7824(80)90008-6Document Number: 447676
Progesterone and estradiol as well as norethisterone (NET) levels were assayed following a single intramuscular injection of norethisterone oenanthate (NET-OEN) in 15 Thai women. These steroid levels were measured to ascertain whether they would be affected by an additional treatment with an oral estrogen or a combination of oral estrogen and progestin given 6 weeks after NET-OEN injection. Among subjects given NET-OEN alone or in combination, serum NET levels were very similar in all subjects. The NET value was highest 1 week postinjection and declined thereafter until Week 12. Estradiol levels in NET-OEN only subjects however, were variable; 3 subjects showed intermittent estradiol increases, with no concomitant increase in pogresterone. 3 other subjects, in marked contrast, showed elevated progesterone levels within a 1-week interval of elevated estradiol. When NET was in the range of .37-.02 ng/ml, progesterone levels were elevated in all subjects in the NET-OEN only group. Another group of subjects received supplemental oral ethinylestradiol, and a third group received supplemental combined ethinylestradiol and norgestrel. Ovulation occurred in 2 NET-OEN only subjects, in 5 added estrogen subjects, and in 2 added combination therapy subjects. Median time to ovulation was 11 weeks, with the earliest occurring at 6 weeks postinjection. This is a marked resistance to NET-OEN antiovulatory effect compared with other trials of the steroid.