Merz M, Kroll R, Lynen R, Bangerter K. Bleeding pattern and cycle control of a low-dose transdermal contraceptive patch compared with a combined oral contraceptive: a randomized study.
Contraception 2014;
91:113-20. [PMID:
25453585 DOI:
10.1016/j.contraception.2014.10.004]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Revised: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 10/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE(S)
The aim of this study was to investigate the bleeding pattern and cycle control of a contraceptive patch containing 0.55 mg ethinyl estradiol (EE) and 2.1 mg gestodene (GSD) compared with a combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing 0.02 mg EE and 0.1 mg levonorgestrel (LNG).
STUDY DESIGN
In this phase III, randomized, controlled, double-blind, double-dummy, multicenter trial, healthy women aged 18-45 years (smokers aged 18-35 years) received either the EE/GSD patch and a placebo tablet (n=171), or a placebo patch and the COC (n=175) for seven 28-day cycles. Bleeding control was assessed in two 90-day reference periods.
RESULTS
Mean number of bleeding/spotting days was comparable across treatment groups in both reference periods (p>.05). Mean number of bleeding/spotting episodes was also comparable in reference period 1; however, there were fewer bleeding/spotting episodes for COC in reference period 2 (3.4 versus 3.1; p=.01). Mean length of bleeding/spotting episodes was comparable across treatment groups for both reference periods (p>.05). Withdrawal bleeding occurred consistently in both groups over the entire treatment period, but its absence was more common in the COC group in cycles 4 and 6 of reference period 2 (p<.01). Intracyclic bleeding was comparable between groups.
CONCLUSION(S)
Bleeding pattern and cycle control with the EE/GSD patch was comparable to an EE/LNG-containing COC.
IMPLICATIONS STATEMENT
The findings suggest that bleeding patterns with the EE/GSD patch are similar to an EE/LNG-containing COC, except for absence of withdrawal bleeding, which was less common in patch users. The EE/GSD patch may constitute an additional contraceptive option for women.
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