The effect of vaginal administration of low-dose oral contraceptive tablets on human ovulation

The effect of vaginal administration of a low dose combined oral contraceptive pill containing 0.15 mg levonorgestrel and 0.03 mg ethinyl oestradiol was studied in twenty women for a total of 58 cycles. Ovulation was suppressed in all treatment cycles in women receiving two pills daily. Failure of suppression of ovulation occurred in four out of 26 treatment cycles in women receiving one pill daily. Only seven women complained of side effects; most of the side effects were mild and disappeared gradually within the first treatment cycle. Intermenstrual spotting was present in only one case receiving one pill daily. It is concluded that vaginal administration of low dose combined pills has a good ovulation suppression effect with minimal side effects and with good cycle control.