Lipid metabolism effects with desogestrel-containing oral contraceptives

Desogestrel is a gonane progestogen that in early studies had an improved ratio between desired progestational effects and undesired androgenic effects. A review of more than 50 clinical studies suggests that desogestrel differs from progestins currently used in oral contraception in that it does not interfere with the estrogen effects on lipoprotein metabolism. This profile is attributable to the high selectivity of desogestrel.