Three and one-half years' experience with a lower-dose combination oral contraceptive

Updated data are presented that span 43 cycles of use of norgestrel 0.030 mg as a lower-dose combination oral contraceptive. Active participation by 1,633 women in 20,312 treatment cycles has resulted in a use-effectiveness rate of 0.13 per 100 woman-years. Satisfactory cycle control, minimal menstrual irregularities and a low incidence of side effects produced high acceptability among users. No drug toxicity was demonstrated. The incidence of discontinuance for medical reasons was low.