The Use of Progestins for Oral Contraception

Norethynodrel (Enovid) in 10 5 or 2.5 mg tablets was given to 103 women for 638 cycles for contraception and to 154 women for at least 3 cycles each for dysmenorrhea or other menstrual abnormalities with no resulting pregnancies. 39% of the women complained of nausea though rarely after the first cycle. The severity of the nausea decreased with lower doses. 32% of the women encountered breakthrough bleeding which was controlled by increasing the dose. A 2-4 lb. weight gain was noted mostly in the first cycle with soreness of the breasts common in the first cycle and enlargement occuring in many women. The volume of menstrual flow decreased in 95.2% of the patients. In 87.5% of the patients with dysmenorrhea it was eliminated or significantly improved. With cessation of medication the first posttreatment cycle is usually prolonged 7-14 days because of later ovulation.