Long Term Usage of Norethindrone with Mestranol Preparations in the Control of Human Fertility
Tyler, E.T.; Olson, H.J.; Gotlib, M.; Levin, M.; Behne, D.
Clinical Medicine 71: 997-1024
1964
ISSN/ISBN: 0412-7994 PMID: 15446181 Document Number: 479159
Norethindrone with mestranol, a synthetic progestational agent, was administered as a contraceptive agent in conjunction with a small quantity of estrogenic substance at 3 different levels of dosage: 10.0, 5.0, and 2.0 mg daily to 829 women for over 20,000 cycles. The drug was taken on a cyclic basis from the fifth day to the 24th day inclusive of each menstrual cycle. No pregnancies occurred when the drug was taken regularly. No evidence of viriliza-tion, malignancy, thromboembolic disease or other serious side reactions was seen. Minor side effects which occurred early in the study diminished with regular use of the drug. Breakthrough bleeding occurred in less than 3.7% of cycles. No impairment in fertility after withdrawal of drug was observed. The 2.0 mg dose was as effective as higher doses for contraception.