Abstract

PIP: A report of several large studies conducted in family planning clinics in Los Angeles is presented. In a study of the cytology of Papanicolaou smears taken from 1653 Planned Parenthood Clinic patients there were 4 positive smears obtained from 649 women who were nonusers of oral contraception and 4 postive smears from 1004 women using oral contraception. Some of these patients had been taking steroids for 3 1/2 years and the average duration of treatment was 31 months. In the same report 1531 endometrial biopsies from 1334 women were anlayzed. 12 of the medication group showed atypical histology, although clinically insignificant. The oral contraceptive pill accepted by the Food and drug Administration contains 9. 85 mg of norethynodrel and .15 mg of the 3-methyl ether of ethinyl estradiol. Recommended dosage is 1 tablet daily from the 5th day to the 25th day of the menstrual cycle. Certain side effects should be noted. Transient nausea may accompany the injestion of the Pill in the first 3 months. breakthrough bleeding, amenorrhea, weight gain, and fluid retention have all been seen with this drug. Cost is a major factor affecting the widespread use of the Pill. A 1-month supply currently costs about $9. It is hoped that a reduction in the amount of hormone in each pill will enable a cost reduction. As far as can be determined, consistent use of these pills for a 2-year periods is safe. It represents a very effective form of contraception.