Mesigyna (R) once-a-month combined injectable contraceptive: Experience inLatin America

A phase III clinical study was carried out among 534 fertile Latin American women to evaluate cycle control, side effects, and contraceptive efficacy of a once-a-month combined injectable, Mesigyna, consisting of 50 mg noreth isterone enanthate and 5 mg estradiol valerate. The pregnancy rate at 1 yea r was 0 per 100 woman-years for a total experience of 4688 woman-months. Th e overall discontinuation rate at one year was 17.9%. Discontinuation rate for bleeding problems was 5.2%. The Colombian women had a significant incre ase (p <0.001) in bleeding problems compared to other countries. The discon tinuation rate for amenorrhea was 1.1%. There were no significant differenc es between the groups regarding discontinuation for other medical or non-me dical reasons. Mean weight gain after one year of use was 1.02 kg. Mesigyna is an appropriate once-a-month injectable contraceptive for Latin American women since it is highly effective and its perception of normal menstrual bleeding is of importance in the Latin American population. (C) 2000 Elsevi er Science Inc. All rights reserved.