Alternatives for the replacement of ethinylestradiol by natural 17 beta-estradiol in dienogest-containing oral contraceptives

The strong hepatic estrogenic actions of ethinylestradiol are very likely t o be the cause of the cardiovascular morbidity related to the use of combin ed oral contraceptives (COCs). This survey presents results of ethinylestra diol replacement in COCs with natural 17 beta-estradiol in the following st ages: reduction of ethinylestradiol to daily doses of 0.01 mg and concomita nt replacement with 17 beta-estradiol (as valerate); and complete replaceme nt of ethinylestradiol with 17 beta-estradiol using two novel multiphasic c ombinations containing 17 beta-estradiol (as valerate) and the progestin di enogest. Recent data from clinical studies show that these approaches seem to be promising. (C) Prous Science. All rights reserved.