[Clinical experience with Mercilon and Marvelon with special reference to ovarian function]

The effects of two oral contraceptive combinations either containing 0.020 mg ethynilestradiol (EE) + 0.150 mg desogestrel (Mercilon) or 0.030 mg EE + 0.150 mg desogestrel (Marvelon) were compared in two independent trials. Special attention was paid to serum levels of LH, FSH, prolactin, progesterone, testosterone, estradiol, SHBG in the first and efficacy, cycle control and tolerability in the second trial. The first trial included 71 women. Serum levels were determined in the cycle before treatment, in the third and sixth cycle of treatment and one cycle after treatment. The following difference was found: Women using the lower dosed preparation showed significantly less suppressed FSH values compared to women using Marvelon. Mean values of Estradiol and Progesterone were significantly suppressed 30% of our measurement in the lower dosed data sample showed extremely high Estradiol and Progesterone values. SHBG has increased by 200-300% and had no effect on prolactin and testosterone levels. In the second trial 781 women (5193 cycles) were evaluated. Assessment were made in the first, third and twelfth cycle of treatment. There were no marked differences between the two preparations with respect to normalisation of cycle length, bleeding duration and intensity. Differences occurred in frequencies of silent menstruation and breakthrough bleedings. They were more often by receiving 0.020 mg EE (7.7%, Mercilon) than with 0.030 mg EE (3.6%, Marvelon). With 0.020 mg EE a higher percentage of women showed body weight change. Blood pressure remained stable in both groups. Both preparations were very good tolerated with slightly more breast tenderness by taking 0.030 mg EE.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)