Abstract

PIP: 40 women aged 18-36 used the Postinor brand, levonorgestrel-containing, pill from the Gedeon-Richter firm for 240 menstrual cycles. They did not have regular sexual intercourse: 26 were students, 2 were widows, 9 were women whose husbands commuted weekly to a workplace away from their home, and 3 were divorced. All of them had normal biphasic cycles validated both by basal temperature and hormonal cytology through 3 subsequent cycles. Average coital frequency during a menstrual cycle was 2.2. Every woman was instructed about the method of use: to take 1 pill, at the latest, 1 hour after coitus, and, if possible, maximum use should be once a week. In the event of repeated coitus, another tablet had to be taken 3 hours after coitus, and another the next day in case of another coitus. None of the women suffered form liver or gallbladder diseases. Before administering Postinor and 2 weeks after its use, hepatic tests and were done in all patients. The selected sample was nonsmoking, psychologically stable, and without bleeding disorders, and with normal colposcopic findings. The majority of women (25) experienced no side effects. 15 women (37.5%) had side effects: 6 (15%) had slight nausea, tachycardia, and a light headache. The spotting observed in 4 (10%) was controlled by Celaskon + 10% calcium gluconate iv 2-3 times. Omission of menstruation occurred in 4 cases, if the pill was taken several times in the second half of the cycle. There was 1 cases (2.5%) of failure because of belated use of the pill (2.5% hours after coitus). If properly used, Postinor proved to be an effective postcoital agent, without major side effects which could be recommended for occasional use.