OVARIAN ACTIVITY AND VAGINAL BLEEDING PATTERNS WITH A DESOGESTREL-ONLY PREPARATION AT 3 DIFFERENT DOSES

A randomized, double-blind, group-comparative study was performed over a 6 month period to compare ovarian suppression and vaginal bleeding during the use of three oral contraceptives containing doses of 30, 50 or 75 mu g desogestrel. A total of 44 female volunteers with regular cycles and established ovulation by ultrasonography were recruited fro m an out-patient clinic in a university hospital and asked to particip ate in the study, Ultrasonography and serum oestradiol and progesteron e measurements were performed during two assessment periods. The 75 mu g dose showed complete suppression of ovulation and a more acceptable bleeding pattern than the lower doses, The 75 mu g dose of desogestre l is the most promising dose for the development of a new progestogen- only oral contraceptive agent.