The emerging use of the 20-microg oral contraceptive.
OBJECTIVE
To highlight studies that investigated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of low-dose oral contraceptives (OCs) containing 20 microg of ethinyl estradiol (EE) and to discuss the use of these low-dose contraceptives in women from adolescence to menopause and the noncontraceptive health benefits likely to be afforded by low-dose contraceptives.


METHODS
Relevant literature was identified by searching MEDLINE and EMBASE. Other sources were located by consulting the bibliographies of the material collected from Medline and EMBASE. Sources for additional information included documents from the United States Food and Drug Administration and the Physicians' Desk Reference (54th ed.).


CONCLUSIONS
The current lowest available dose of EE used for OCs in the United States is 20 microg. Formulations with 20 microg of EE are efficacious and have a low incidence of estrogen-related side effects. Since this lowest effective EE dose inhibits ovarian activity, 20 microg of EE should also provide the noncontraceptive health benefits of OCs. Both contraceptive and noncontraceptive benefits of OCs are available to most women from adolescence to menopause without complications.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030-3498, USA. alfredp@bcm.tmc.edu
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Poindexter
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D016239:MEDLINE; D008593:Menopause; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011372:Progestins / Q000008:administration & dosage
D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D011372:Progestins; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol