[Current monophasic hormonal contraception]

Abstract

Data are presented from an investigation of the use of monophasic contraceptive pills chosen by different age groups. Analyses are made of the data obtained from the Bulgarian Association for Family Planning (BAFP) card index for the last two years. Information is given on the number of observed cycles, type of applied contraceptive pill, aims of their application (contraception, treatment of acne, menstrual disturbances etc.), age of patients, as well as any possible adverse effects--change in blood pressure, bodyweight changes, intermenstrual bleeding, hairiness, breast problems, paraclinical changes, etc. The observed cycles show a very small percentage of adverse effects with hormonal contraception, mainly during the first 2 or 3 cycles, with predominance of intermenstrual bleeding. No bodyweight changes or increased hairiness were observed.

PIP: The data for this analysis were obtained from the records of the Bulgarian Association for Family Planning (BAFP); the data covered a period of 3 years and were for 593 women with a total menstrual cycle of 3132. The most frequently used monophasic oral contraceptives were Cilest (containing norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol), used by 233 women, Marvelon (containing desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol), used by 154 women, Microgynon FE, used by 117 women, and Nordette (containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol), used by 89 women. The preparations were used mainly for contraception, but some women used them for menstrual regulation (27 women used Nordette for this purpose and so did 25 women use Marvelon for such a purpose), and a small percentage of the women used them for used dysmenorrhea. 103 (43.2%) women who used Cilest were in the 14-19 age group, while 106 (45.4%) of them were in the 20-25 age group. In the 14-19 age group 20 (17.2%) used Microgynon, 18 (20.2%) used Nordette, and 60 (38.8%) relied on Marvelon. In the 20-25 age group the respective figures were 79 (67.2%) for Microgynon, 40 (44.9%) for Nordette, and 67 (42.5%) for Marvelon. Some of the unfavorable metabolic effects of oral contraceptives included the increase of LDL and the reduction of HDL levels and androgenic effects. The most frequent side effect was intermenstrual bleeding, of which there were 19 cases for Cilest, 7 for Microgynon, 5 for Nordette, and 11 for Marvelon. Menstruation was prolonged in 4 women using Cilest and in 5 using Marvelon. 5 women using Cilest, 2 using Microgynon, and 2 using Nordette had headache. Other adverse effects included episodes of galactorrhea, discomfort, mastopathy, and bloating in the stomach. These effects did not pose a risk to general or reproductive health and did not justify discontinuation of use for these preparations.