Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning PubHealthInfo

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PubHealth.info® (a subsidiary of PakMed) presents scientific information mainly based on abstracts of articles published on a variety of public health issues/topics, particularly encompassing population planning, disease prevention, maternal and child health, and communicable and non-communicable diseases (like HIV AIDS, malaria, etc) that are affecting a significant portion of population in developing and developed countries. Here you can find abstracts of articles published on a variety of public health topics under category "Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning". Contraception (birth control) is a regimen of one or more actions, devices, or medications followed in order to deliberately prevent or reduce the likelihood of a woman becoming pregnant or giving birth. Therefore contraception is the utilization of various and sundry surgical procedures, devices, practices, agents, or drugs with the intention of preventing conception or impregnation (pregnancy). Methods and intentions typically termed birth control may be considered a pivotal ingredient to family planning. Birth control is a controversial political and ethical issue in many cultures and religions, and although it is generally less controversial than abortion specifically.

YEAR: 1992

CATEGORY: Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning

TITLE

New oral contraceptive progestogens.

AUTHORS

Harer WB Jr

SOURCE

WESTERN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE. 1992 Jun;156(6):650-1.

ABSTRACT

The introduction of gestodene and desogestrel into the oral contraception pharmacopeia marks the 1st major change

in many years. These high-potency 19-nortestosterone progestogens offer substantial benefits and high efficacy in

both the monophasic and triphasic forms combined with ethinyl estradiol in the familiar 21- or 28-day cycle pattern.

Gestodene has 100% bioavailability, whereas desogestrel has 805 as it metabolizes to its active form, 3-keto-

desogestrel. They are related to levonorgestrel but have virtually no androgenicity and no estrogenic effects.

Furthermore, they have no effect on glucose metabolism, which enhances their value for patients at risk for diabetes

mellitus. A unique property of gestodene is the effect of binding to aldosterone receptors. This may displace

aldosterone from mineralocorticoids and may result in a lowering of blood pressure in some hypertensive patients. A

slight elevation of total blood cholesterol levels may be induced, but this occurs through the beneficial elevation of

high-density lipoproteins and a reduction of low-density lipoproteins. An increase in triglycerides has also been

reported. The overall effects of gestodene-containing oral contraceptives (OCs) on lipids and lipoproteins are not

clinically significant, however. Clinical trials and extensive European experience indicate a decreased incidence of

intermenstrual bleeding and amenorrhea when compared with the use of currently available OCs. This superior cycle

control enhances patient compliance. Women who abandoned the use of these OCs in clinical trials primarily cited

weight gain or headaches as an undesired effect. As with other available birth control pills, nausea and mood

changes were also cited. A risk of breast cancer in OC users remains inconclusive and a source of patients'

concern. There is some tentative evidence that gestodene mimics the effects of tamoxifen and therefore may

actually reduce the risks of both breast cancer and benign breast disease. With efficacy matching other available

products, the new OCs offer enhanced patient compliance through the reduction of undesired breakthrough bleeding

and amenorrhea. Their metabolic neutrality offers safety that equals or possible surpasses that of other available

contraceptives. Thus, they provide a good 1st choice for patients and an alternative for women experiencing

problems with currently available OCs. Patients doing well on current formulations should not switch without

indication. (PubHealth.info Document ID: CONT3T 1583-06)

PubHealth.info NOTE: The author(s) of this article titled, "New oral contraceptive progestogens.", is(are) Harer WB

Jr. The source of this article is "WESTERN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE. 1992 Jun;156(6):650-1.". This article was

published in 1992 in English language(s). (PubHealth.info® Document ID: CONT3T 1583-06. All rights reserved with

PubHealth.info) PIN: 11583

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