[Progress of contraceptive methods--OC and IUD]

In Japan, most couples use traditional methods, with about 80% relying on the condom and a further significant proportion on the rhythm method. In fact a combination of both methods is common among married couples. The oral contraceptives have the following advantages: Reversibility, simple and easy to use, coitally independent, no skill or knowledge required for its use, high acceptability, no pain or discomfort at use, self-administration, while they have the following disadvantages: Inadequate during lactation, sustained motivation in the female side required, clinical contraindication exists, possible side-effects such as nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, weight gain, questionable possibility of serious side effects such as hypertension, thromboembolic diseases etc., medical supervision and follow up required, expensive cost. The use of the steroidal preparations for contraceptive purpose in Japan awaits official approval. Under present regulations, it is not illegal for the physicians to prescribe the pill, and currently six preparations are available and all contain 50 microgram of estrogen. The reduction in the estrogen and progestogen content of the pill did not appreciably compromise contraceptive potential while untoward effects were considerably lowered. The development and use of the new progestogen also contributed to minimize the possible side effects. Efforts are now being directed at a pill which minimizes metabolic change, decreases the incidence of breakthrough bleeding or spotting, without compromising efficacy. It is with these goals in mind that the multi-phasic pills have been developed in the belief that many of the undesirable side-effects can be circumvented while maintaining almost 100% conception control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)