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Related Experiment Videos

Bleeding patterns after immediate vs. conventional oral contraceptive initiation: a randomized, controlled trial.

Carolyn Westhoff1, Chelsea Morroni, Jennifer Kerns

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA. clw3@columbia.edu

Fertility and Sterility
|February 6, 2003
PubMed
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Starting oral contraceptives (OCs) immediately versus waiting for menstruation does not significantly alter bleeding patterns. This finding suggests that immediate OC initiation is a safe and effective option for women.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Health
  • Contraception
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Conventional initiation of oral contraceptives (OCs) often involves waiting for the onset of menstruation.
  • Concerns about irregular bleeding patterns can lead to delayed OC initiation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare bleeding patterns between immediate and conventional oral contraceptive initiation.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 113 women initiating combination OCs.
  • Participants received a 4-month supply of a monophasic 35-microg ethinyl estradiol (EE) OC and a bleeding diary.
  • Randomization to immediate or conventional OC start, with monthly telephone follow-up over 90 days.

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

  • No significant difference in the number of bleeding-spotting days between immediate and conventional OC starters.
  • Bleeding parameters were similar regardless of whether OCs were initiated on days 1-7 or day 8+ of the cycle.

    • Conclusions:

    • Immediate oral contraceptive initiation does not result in different bleeding patterns compared to conventional starting regimens.
    • Concerns regarding adverse bleeding should not prevent immediate OC initiation.