title: A comparison of a new graduated estrogen formulation with three constant-dosed oral contraceptives.
abstract: Four-hundred-twenty-six women, aged 18 to 36, completed a four-cycle comparative, randomized, single-blind (observer blind), multicenter study of a new graduated estrogen formulation with three constant-dosed combination oral contraceptives containing the same synthetic steroid compounds. The products studied were Loestrin 1/20, Loestrin 1.5/30, Norlestrin 1/50, and a new graduated estrogen product, Estrostep. A total of 1,850 cycles were completed and analyzed for efficacy, side effects, metabolic changes, and cycle control. Four pregnancies occurred during the course of the study. None of the pregnancies occurred in the group receiving Estrostep. The new formulation produced the lowest rate of breakthrough bleeding (BTB) compared with the other three products. All four combination oral contraceptives resulted in an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The levels of HDL-C were greatest with Estrostep.
authors.affiliation: Boulder Medical Center, CO.
authors.forename: T B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Appel
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kambi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Birdsall
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Christenson
authors.forename: D O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: DeKoning
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Dreisbach
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Gustin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Halikis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000378:metabolism; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D004338:Drug Combinations; C020416:norethindrone acetate, ethinyl estradiol, ferrous fumarate drug combination; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; C036657:norlestrin; D009640:Norethindrone