Clinical experience with the progestogen-only pill

Contraception. 1990 Nov;42(5):489-95. doi: 10.1016/0010-7824(90)90077-9.

Abstract

Experience with the progestogen-only pill (POP) in a family planning clinic is presented. From the clinic records, 408 women were identified who had opted to use a POP. Of these, 50 women had used the POP during lactation and these were excluded from the analysis. The remaining 358 women used the POP for up to 150 months, giving a total of 18,125 women-months of use. Three pregnancies occurred, giving a Pearl Index of 0.2 per 100 women-years. Non-menstrual side effects were minor and were reported by 77 women. For the women who discontinued the POP, the main reason was menstrual irregularity (47.5%). However, despite the long-term use by most of the women, almost 40% maintained a mostly regular menstrual pattern. Our findings suggest that the POP provides a very acceptable method of oral contraception for many women and that it should be more actively promoted.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Contraception*
  • Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / administration & dosage
  • Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / adverse effects
  • Ethynodiol Diacetate / administration & dosage
  • Ethynodiol Diacetate / adverse effects
  • Ethynodiol Diacetate / analogs & derivatives
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Levonorgestrel
  • Menstrual Cycle / drug effects
  • Middle Aged
  • Norethindrone / administration & dosage
  • Norethindrone / adverse effects
  • Norgestrel / administration & dosage
  • Norgestrel / adverse effects
  • Patient Dropouts
  • Progestins / administration & dosage*
  • Progestins / adverse effects

Substances

  • Contraceptives, Oral, Combined
  • Progestins
  • Norgestrel
  • Levonorgestrel
  • Ethynodiol Diacetate
  • ethynodiol
  • Norethindrone