Manipulation of the pill-free interval in oral contraceptive pill users: The effect on follicular suppression

William D. Schlaff, Anne M. Lynch, Heather D. Hughes, Marcelle I. Cedars, Deborah L. Smith, Abbey B. Berenson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

105 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)943-949
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican journal of obstetrics and gynecology
Volume190
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Body mass index
  • Follicular suppression
  • Oral contraceptive pill
  • Pill-free interval

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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