This record contains information specific to ethinyl estradiol used alone. Users with an interest in an oral contraceptive should consult the record entitled, "Contraceptives, Oral, Combined." There is little information available on the use of ethinyl estradiol alone during breastfeeding. Levels in milk appear to be low. Based on studies on oral contraceptives that contain ethinyl estradiol, immediate side effects such as breast enlargement appear to occur rarely. It seems likely that doses of 30 mcg daily or greater can suppress lactation. The magnitude of the effect on lactation likely depends on the dose and the time of introduction postpartum, but data are not adequate to accurately define these doses and times.

This record contains information specific to oral levonorgestrel used alone for contraception. Those with an interest in a combination oral contraceptive should consult the record entitled, Contraceptives, Oral, Combined. Although nonhormonal methods are preferred during breastfeeding, progestin-only contraceptives such as levonorgestrel are considered the hormonal contraceptives of choice during lactation. Fair quality evidence indicates that levonorgestrel does not adversely affect the composition of milk, the growth and development of the infant or the milk supply. Expert opinion holds that the risks of progestin-only contraceptive products usually are acceptable for nursing mothers at any time postpartum.[1,2] Some evidence indicates that progestin-only contraceptives may offer protection against bone mineral density loss during lactation, or at least do not exacerbate it.[3-5] A large percentage of women who planned to breastfeed discontinued oral progestin-only contraceptives by 3 months postpartum[6] and progestin-only contraceptives often result in rapid repeat pregnancy in the absence of breastfeeding.[7] Postcoital levonorgestrel appears to have no long-term adverse effects on breastfeeding or the infant.[8-11]

Unplanned pregnancy is a major public health problem in the United States. Emergency contraception has the potential to significantly decrease the incidence. The Yuzpe regimen is highly effective but woefully underutilized. Mechanisms of action of hormonal emergency contraception will be discussed as well as appropriate indications for use, patient counseling issues, and future methods.

Oral contraceptives have the highest theoretic efficacy of all reversible forms of contraception, yet in practice they have an actual failure rate equivalent to that of some barrier methods. The efficacy of oral contraceptives depends primarily on patient compliance. So-called "nuisance" side effects, such as intermenstrual bleeding (breakthrough bleeding or spotting), play a major role in their discontinuation. The Triphasic Randomized Clinical Trial compared the incidence of these side effects in three groups of subjects taking NET (A) (Ortho-Novum 7/7/7), LNG (Tri-Levlen), or NET (B) (Tri-Norinyl). Subjects taking NET (A) had the highest incidence of intermenstrual bleeding (63%) followed by NET (B) (44%) and LNG (33%). Only the difference between NET (A) and LNG attained statistical significance (p less than 0.030). Control subjects had no breakthrough bleeding and a 4% incidence of spotting. Further research is warranted to establish the cause of the disparity in the incidence of intermenstrual bleeding among patient groups assigned to the three oral triphasic contraceptives.

The Triphasic Randomized Clinical Trial was a multicenter, open-label, controlled, 6-month study to determine the influence of three currently marketed triphasic oral contraceptives on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, cyclic bleeding profiles, and other adverse drug experiences. The study protocol mandated four clinic visits: an initial visit during which study eligibility was determined, a second visit during which baselines were obtained for lipid and carbohydrate parameters, and visits at 3 and 6 months while taking the study drug. The study enrolled healthy women between the ages of 18 and 35 years who were within 20% of their ideal body weight and who had a history of normal and regular menstrual cycles. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: 51 patients to Tri-Levlen, 50 patients to Ortho-Novum 7/7/7, and 56 patients to Tri-Norinyl. The control group consisted of 49 patients using nonhormonal forms of birth control. Eighty-eight percent (181/206) of the patients completed all four visits and were considered evaluable for subsequent analyses.