Eight years of fertility control with norgestrel-ethinyl estradiol (Ovral) : an updated clinical review
Korba, V.D.; Heil, C.G.
Fertility and Sterility 26(10): 973-981
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0015-0282 PMID: 1183625 Document Number: 506727
A clinical review of the oral contraceptive Ovral (.5 mg norgestrel, .05 mg ethinyl estradiol), representing 6806 users over 9836 woman-years of use, is presented. 19 pregnancies occurred (.19 per 100 woman-years), though none were attributable to failure of the drug. Menstrual periods were regular and predictable in at least 80% of the patients. The incidence of intermenstrual bleeding was low (2.5% of the cycles). 306 patients (4.5%) discontinued medication for medical reason s, the most prevalent of which were headache, nausea and vomiting, weight gain, and nervousness. Breast masses developed in 19 women, carcinoma in situ of the cervix in 16 patients, and thrombophlebitis in 9 women. Hepatic and thyroid functions were slightly altered, though there was no evidence of abnormal adrenal function or neuro-ophthalmologic effects related to the medication. Fertility promp tly returned after cessation of treatment in most cases, and no infant a bnormalities were attributable to the drug. The contraceptive effect of Ovral is suggested to be due primarily to gonadotropin suppression with subsequent inhibition of ovulation.