A low-dose combination oral contraceptive. Experience with 1,700 women treated for 22,489 cycles

A multicenter study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of a combination oral contraceptive containing norgestrel, 0.3 mg, and ethinyl estradiol, 0.03 mg. A total of 1,700 women were treated for 22,489 cycles. Only two pregnancies occurred (Pearl index, 0.20 per 100 woman-years). Cycle control was excellent, and the incidence of breakthrough bleeding, spotting and amenorrhea was low as compared to other reported series of similar low-dose combination contraceptives. No serious side effects were reported, and the drug had no demonstrable adverse effects on weight and blood pressure. The use of this low-dose oral contraceptive appears to provide effective birth control with a high laboratory index of safety and low incidence of side effects.