A new hormonal contraceptive technique, the micro-dose continuous progestogen method has been tried with megestrol acetate, a 17 acetoxy progestogen, and its contraceptive effect has been demonstrated in 196 women treated for a total of 1, 461 cycles.
The patients were recruited from those who attended the Family Planning Clinic of the Seoul National University Hospital and were treated with megestrol acetate, a progestogen free of estrogen, in a daily dose of 0. 5 mg. The formulation used in this study was oil solution of megestrol acetate in soft gelatin capsule.
The continuation rates by the end of 6th and 12th cycle were 59.2 and 23.0 per cent respectively and these rates were higher than those obtained with combined progestogen and estrogen preparation.
Poor cycle control was one of the embarrassing untoward effects with this regimen, as anticipated. Less than half or 46. 9 per cent of the total recorded menstrual cycles lasted 25 to 34 days and 12.2 per cent had amenorrhea lasting more than 60 days.
Intermenstrual spotting was higher than that reported with combined therapy and it occurred in 18. 8 per cent of the total cycles. The incidence of nausea and vomiting, the most frequently observed side effect with combined preparation, was relatively low and rated 3.4. per cent of the total cycles. Intermenstrual spotting and nausea/vomiting were the top tworeasons for discontinuation.
Two pregnancies have occurred and the pregnancy rate of 1. 64 per hundred woman-years was obtained.
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