Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Menstrual Cycle01:19

The Menstrual Cycle

1.3K
The menstrual cycle is a recurrent sequence of changes in the uterine endometrium, specifically its functional layer, the stratum functionalis. This cycle prepares the uterus for potential pregnancy. This cycle typically spans 21–35 days, averaging 28 days, and aligns with the ovarian cycle, regulated by fluctuating levels of ovarian hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone.
The menstrual phase occurs from days 1 to 5 and involves the shedding of the stratum functionalis, as a...
1.3K
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle01:22

Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle

646
The ovarian cycle regulates endometrial changes throughout a single menstrual cycle via the coordinated action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophins.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH...
646
Birth Control Methods01:22

Birth Control Methods

2.0K
Vasectomy is a surgical form of male sterilization that involves severing and sealing the vasa deferentia, preventing sperm from mixing with semen during ejaculation. Because a vasectomy does not impact the testes' ability to produce testosterone, hormone levels, libido, and sexual function generally remain unchanged. While vasectomy is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, with a success rate near 99.85%, rare cases of recanalization (spontaneous reconnection) can occur. Although...
2.0K
Menses Phase01:18

Menses Phase

435
The uterine cycle begins with the menstrual phase, which is considered day one of the cycle and typically lasts about five days. This phase is characterized by the degeneration and shedding of the stratum functionalis, the functional layer of the endometrium.
When fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum deteriorates, causing a significant drop in the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body. This hormonal decrease triggers the release of prostaglandins, which cause the uterine...
435
Dosage Regimen: Fixed Dose01:01

Dosage Regimen: Fixed Dose

2.0K
Fixed-dose regimens are a common approach to administer drugs to achieve and maintain desired levels of the drug in the body. In this dosing strategy, a specific amount of medication is given at regular intervals, often multiple times a day, to ensure a consistent drug concentration in the bloodstream.
Fixed-dose regimens can be used for various routes of administration, including intravenous (IV) injections and oral medications. For IV administration, a predetermined amount of the drug is...
2.0K
Ovarian Cycle01:27

Ovarian Cycle

1.7K
The menstrual cycle includes a critical component known as the ovarian cycle, which undergoes two main phases each month—the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase is variable and averaging around 14 days. Ovulation, triggered by a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), marks the transition between the two phases. The second phase, the luteal phase, is relatively consistent, lasting approximately 14 days, and is marked by the activity of the corpus luteum. While a cycle...
1.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Estetrol (E4) for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women - Efficacy and safety results from the phase 3 E4COMFORT I multicenter, placebo-controlled study.

Maturitas·2026
Same author

Trends in Adolescent and Young Adult Hospitalization for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology·2025
Same author

Critical Considerations in the Interpretation of Bone Turnover Marker Data in Hormonal Contraceptive Users. Comment on Tassi et al. Hormonal Contraception and Bone Metabolism: Emerging Evidence from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Studies on Post-Pubertal and Reproductive-Age Women. <i>Pharmaceuticals</i> 2025, <i>18</i>, 61.

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)·2025
Same author

Body-identical estrogens in combined hormonal contraceptives: A safer path forward.

International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics·2025
Same author

Comparison of estrogens and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) used for menopausal hormone therapy.

Menopause (New York, N.Y.)·2025
Same author

Contraceptive Efficacy and Comparative Side Effects of a Mini Copper Intrauterine Device.

NEJM evidence·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 1, 2025

Protocol for Studying Extinction of Conditioned Fear in Naturally Cycling Female Rats
09:07

Protocol for Studying Extinction of Conditioned Fear in Naturally Cycling Female Rats

Published on: February 23, 2015

13.5K

Bleeding Patterns of Oral Contraceptives with a Cyclic Dosing Regimen: An Overview.

David F Archer1, Diana Mansour2, Jean-Michel Foidart3,4

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA.

Journal of Clinical Medicine
|August 12, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Bleeding patterns vary significantly among oral contraceptives (OCs). Estetrol-based combined OCs (COCs) offer predictable bleeding, while progestin-only pills (POPs) may show more irregularities, impacting patient adherence.

Keywords:
bleeding patterndienogestdrospirenoneestetrolestradiolethinylestradiolnomegestrol acetatenorethindrone acetateoral contraceptives

More Related Videos

Collection, Isolation, and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Human Endocervical Samples
12:34

Collection, Isolation, and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Human Endocervical Samples

Published on: July 6, 2014

19.3K
Rodent Estrous Cycle Monitoring Utilizing Vaginal Lavage: No Such Thing As a Normal Cycle
09:05

Rodent Estrous Cycle Monitoring Utilizing Vaginal Lavage: No Such Thing As a Normal Cycle

Published on: August 30, 2021

7.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 1, 2025

Protocol for Studying Extinction of Conditioned Fear in Naturally Cycling Female Rats
09:07

Protocol for Studying Extinction of Conditioned Fear in Naturally Cycling Female Rats

Published on: February 23, 2015

13.5K
Collection, Isolation, and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Human Endocervical Samples
12:34

Collection, Isolation, and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Human Endocervical Samples

Published on: July 6, 2014

19.3K
Rodent Estrous Cycle Monitoring Utilizing Vaginal Lavage: No Such Thing As a Normal Cycle
09:05

Rodent Estrous Cycle Monitoring Utilizing Vaginal Lavage: No Such Thing As a Normal Cycle

Published on: August 30, 2021

7.6K

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology
  • Gynecology

Background:

  • Bleeding irregularities are a primary reason for oral contraceptive (OC) discontinuation.
  • Understanding OC bleeding patterns is crucial for managing patient expectations.
  • Recent advancements include novel estrogenic components and progestin-only pills (POPs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and compare bleeding patterns of recently marketed cyclic combined OCs (COCs) and one POP.
  • To evaluate bleeding data from phase 3 trials used for regulatory approval.
  • To highlight challenges in comparing bleeding profiles due to varied definitions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of bleeding data from phase 3 clinical trials (≥12 months) for regulatory approval.
  • Analysis of cyclic combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and one progestin-only pill (POP).
  • Assessment of bleeding patterns based on reported trial outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Combined OCs (COCs) generally show regular bleeding, influenced by estrogen-progestin balance.
  • Low-dose ethinylestradiol (EE) or estradiol (E2) formulations may lead to suboptimal bleeding profiles.
  • Estetrol (E4)/drospirenone (DRSP) combination demonstrates predictable bleeding; DRSP POP shows higher irregularity rates.

Conclusions:

  • Different OCs possess distinct bleeding profiles, necessitating careful patient counseling.
  • Estetrol-based COCs offer a predictable bleeding pattern.
  • Progestin-only pills (POPs) may present a higher incidence of unscheduled bleeding and amenorrhea compared to COCs.