Effects of two estradiol/norgestrel combinations on the ovulatory pattern and on sex hormone binding globulin capacity in women around forty years of age.
Thirteen women aged 36-46 years (mean 43) who were seeking contraceptive advice, were monitored for 3 months with basal body temperature (BBT) and were then treated for 3 months with CyclabilR (11 tablets of 2 mg estradiol valerate (E2) followed by 10 tablets of 2 mg E2 + 0.5 mg norgestrel). This treatment was immediately followed by another 3 months with CyclabilR + 2 mg E2. BBT revealed a spontaneous ovulatory rate of 89%. Cyclabil reduced the ovulatory rate, as measured with repeated serum progesterone analyses, to 37%, and Cyclabil + 2 mg E2 resulted in a marked reduction in the number of ovulations (3%). Both types of hormonal combination resulted in relatively small changes in Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Capacity. It is concluded that the addition of 2 mg E2 to CyclabilR causes a decrease in ovulation rate to such an extent that women using this combination run a relatively small risk of conceiving. One advantage over contraceptive steroids may be that the present combination contains a natural estrogen at a relatively low concentration.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009644:Norgestrel / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism*
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D009644:Norgestrel; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol