Indian Council of Medical Research. Task Force on Hormonal Contraception: Phase II randomized clinical trial with norethisterone oenanthate 50 mg alone and in combination with 5 mg or 2.5 mg of either estradiol valerate or cypionate as a monthly injectable contraceptive

Abstract

A Phase II multicentric study was carried out to compare the different contraceptive treatment schedules of the monthly injectable consisting of norethisterone oenanthate (NET OEN) 50 mg either given alone or in combination with estrogen esters, 2.5 or 5 mg of estradiol valerate (E2 Val.) or estradiol cypionate (E2 Cyp.). A total of 364 women were observed for 1686 months of use. Analysis of the bleeding pattern data indicated that NET OEN 50 mg when given alone gave rise to delayed cycles and/or amenorrhoea. However, the addition of estrogen esters in a dose of either 2.5 or 5 mg provided significantly better bleeding patterns. Of the different treatment schedules investigated, the combination of NET OEN 50 mg with E2 Val. 5 mg provided more consistent and better cycle control. These findings however need further validation on a larger study sample.