TY - JOUR
T1 - Manipulation of the pill-free interval in oral contraceptive pill users
T2 - The effect on follicular suppression
AU - Schlaff, William D.
AU - Lynch, Anne M.
AU - Hughes, Heather D.
AU - Cedars, Marcelle I.
AU - Smith, Deborah L.
AU - Berenson, Abbey B.
PY - 2004/4
Y1 - 2004/4
N2 - Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare follicular suppression that was produced by 3 different oral contraceptive regimens that differ by treatment in the pill-free interval. Study design: In a university setting, 54 women were assigned randomly to receive either 20 μg ethinyl estradiol + 100 μg levonorgestrel followed by 7 pill-free days, 20 μg ethinyl estradiol + 150 μg desogestrel followed by 2 days of placebo then 10 μg ethinyl estradiol for 5 days, or 28 days of 20 μg ethinyl estradiol plus 150 μg desogestrel. Follicular suppression was evaluated by serial ultrasound scans and by serum and urinary hormone levels during a 2-month study period. Data were analyzed by nonparametric statistical tests. Results: There was a significant difference in follicle count among the 3 groups (P = .005). Women who were treated with a 7-day pill-free interval experienced the least suppression. Estrogen levels were more variable and led to an observation that overweight (body mass index, > 25 kg/m2) was associated with reduced follicle suppression (relative risk, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.0, 2.7) and higher estrogen levels (relative risk, 5.3; 95% CI, 1.3, 21). Conclusion: Contraceptive pill users who were treated with a 7-day pill-free interval demonstrated less follicular suppression than women who were supplemented with either estrogen alone or estrogen plus progestin. Overweight women were less suppressed than women of normal weight.
AB - Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare follicular suppression that was produced by 3 different oral contraceptive regimens that differ by treatment in the pill-free interval. Study design: In a university setting, 54 women were assigned randomly to receive either 20 μg ethinyl estradiol + 100 μg levonorgestrel followed by 7 pill-free days, 20 μg ethinyl estradiol + 150 μg desogestrel followed by 2 days of placebo then 10 μg ethinyl estradiol for 5 days, or 28 days of 20 μg ethinyl estradiol plus 150 μg desogestrel. Follicular suppression was evaluated by serial ultrasound scans and by serum and urinary hormone levels during a 2-month study period. Data were analyzed by nonparametric statistical tests. Results: There was a significant difference in follicle count among the 3 groups (P = .005). Women who were treated with a 7-day pill-free interval experienced the least suppression. Estrogen levels were more variable and led to an observation that overweight (body mass index, > 25 kg/m2) was associated with reduced follicle suppression (relative risk, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.0, 2.7) and higher estrogen levels (relative risk, 5.3; 95% CI, 1.3, 21). Conclusion: Contraceptive pill users who were treated with a 7-day pill-free interval demonstrated less follicular suppression than women who were supplemented with either estrogen alone or estrogen plus progestin. Overweight women were less suppressed than women of normal weight.
KW - Body mass index
KW - Follicular suppression
KW - Oral contraceptive pill
KW - Pill-free interval
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U2 - 10.1016/j.ajog.2004.02.012
DO - 10.1016/j.ajog.2004.02.012
M3 - Article
C2 - 15118618
AN - SCOPUS:2342426502
SN - 0002-9378
VL - 190
SP - 943
EP - 949
JO - American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
JF - American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
IS - 4
ER -