Clinical and metabolic aspects of the continuous use of a contraceptive association of ethinyl estradiol (30 μg) and gestodene (75 μg)

Extended Cycling of Combined Hormonal Contraceptives in Adolescents: Physician Views and Prescribing Practices

“…Although most of them (69%) thought long-term suppression was safe, 30% felt it was safe only if suppression occurred occasionally [20]. Women who use extended cycles show comparable changes in lipids, blood pressure, mean body weight, and serum glucose levels to women on traditional regimens [21], and they rapidly return to normal menstrual cycles after discontinuation of an extended regimen [22]. Although questions continue to be raised about the risk of breast cancer and the use of extended cycles, the risks of other gynecologic cancers (endometrial and ovarian) are known to be lower in women using combined oral contraceptive pills compared with those not using combined oral contraceptive pills [22].…”

Postoperative Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate versus Continuous Oral Contraceptive Pills in the Treatment of Endometriosis-Associated Pain: A Randomized Comparative Trial

“…Also, OC pills induce decidualization of endometriotic lesions, followed by atrophy, suppress cell proliferation and enhance apoptosis of eutopic endometrium [20] and decrease aromatase expression in eutopic endometrial tissue [21]. Our OC pill regimen was demonstrated to be safe by Machado et al [22]. In their study, the continuous use of the combination of ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg and gestodene 0.075 mg for 24 weeks was associated with metabolic changes similar to those observed in patients using the pill with a monthly pill-free interval, with no changes in blood pressure or weight.…”

Menstrual Suppression for Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities

“…32 The most frequent bleeding pattern recorded was spotting, increasing from 12.5% during the first month to 43.7% by the end of the third month, and then progressively declining to only 12.5%. 32 The rate of amenorrhea increased considerably after the third month, reaching 81.2% during the last month of continuous use. 32 The unpredictability of bleeding patterns during the first three months of continuous oral contraceptive use is similar to that experienced during the first months of treatment with DMPA, and is often a cause for treatment discontinuation.…”

“…31 Unscheduled bleeding or spotting during the active pill phase of the extended regimen is initially greater than that with the traditional scheduling, but becomes comparable within one year. 32,33 When the bleeding patterns in 41 women on an extended regimen of oral contraceptive pills consisting of six months of continuous use without a hormonefree interval, it was found that the occurrence of any type of bleeding was greatest during the third month of continuous use. 32 The most frequent bleeding pattern recorded was spotting, increasing from 12.5% during the first month to 43.7% by the end of the third month, and then progressively declining to only 12.5%.…”

“…32,33 When the bleeding patterns in 41 women on an extended regimen of oral contraceptive pills consisting of six months of continuous use without a hormonefree interval, it was found that the occurrence of any type of bleeding was greatest during the third month of continuous use. 32 The most frequent bleeding pattern recorded was spotting, increasing from 12.5% during the first month to 43.7% by the end of the third month, and then progressively declining to only 12.5%. 32 The rate of amenorrhea increased considerably after the third month, reaching 81.2% during the last month of continuous use.…”