The biological effects of a new modified sequential oral contraceptive

• Published in: Contraception (Stoneham) Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. 1 - 13
• Main Authors: Widholm, O., Alapiessa, U.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 1977
• Subjects: Adult; Contraceptives, Oral - pharmacology; Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal - pharmacology; Endometrium - cytology; Estradiol - pharmacology; Female; Humans; Lynestrenol - pharmacology; Menstruation; Reproduction and population; Urine - analysis
• ISSN: 0010-7824; 1879-0518
• DOI: 10.1016/0010-7824(77)90033-6

The biological effects of a normophasic oral contraceptive regimen were studied in four healthy women. The 24-hour urine was collected on days 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18 and 22 and the following parameters assessed: urinary oestrogens, pregnanediol and luteinizing hormone (LH). The basal body temperature (BBT) was recorded daily. Vaginal smears (Karyopyknotic Index) and cervical mucus samples, for monitoring the arborization, were taken at least twice a week. Endometrial biopsies were taken on the 23rd or 24th day of the menstrual cycle. All the samples were taken during the 1st, 3rd and 6th treatment cycles as well as during the pre-treatment and post-treatment cycle. All the pre-treatment cycles were considered to be ovulatory and all the treatment,cycles were anovulatory. Post-treatment cycles were ovulatory in three women. As a result of the treatment the arborization peak moved to the first half of the cycle and then generally disappeared at the onset of the progestagen action. The results of the endometrial biopsies showed that the treatment caused slight hypoplasia of the stroma and glands and deficient or suppressed glandular secretion. These changes were more pronounced during the 1st treatment cycle but they did not progress as the treatment continued. The results suggest that this modified sequential oral contraceptive is suitable for contraceptive use.