The progestogen-only pill (POP), minipill, is quite an effective second line contraceptive. Despite this, it is used relatively infrequently except during lactation. The main reason for this is that women on POP often have abnormal bleeding patterns, with an increased frequency of bleeding, lengthened cycles, breakthrough bleeding, spotting and prolonged bleeding. These menstrual disturbances a...

BACKGROUND Endometrial breakthrough bleeding is characterized by an inflammatory reaction and increased production of proinflammatory mediators, one of which may be epithelial neutrophil-activating peptide-78 (ENA-78), a chemokine with neutrophil-activating properties. METHODS AND RESULTS We therefore investigated the endometrial expression of ENA-78 in Norplant users as progestin-only contra...

During the past 5 years, a number of important advances have been made in our understanding of the mechanisms of sex steroid-induced breakthrough bleeding (BTB). These observations suggest that superficial endometrial vascular fragility may be the mechanism underlying BTB, and molecular changes in the microvasculature as well as hysteroscopic observations have supported this hypothesis. This pa...

Oral contraceptive pills have several side effects especially on the gastrointestinal tract and liver. Absorption of low dose (LD) pills by the vaginal route avoids the first pass of the steroids through these tracts and probably has fewer side effects. This study was a cohort study for evaluation of side effects and acceptability of LD pills administered by the vaginal route. In a clinical...

Abnormal endometrial bleeding continues to be a significant problem for women using long-acting gestagens and not only reduces the use of these agents, thus restricting the options available to women, but also reduces the quality of their lives. This symposium addressed a range of basic and clinical studies that have tried over the past 3 years to define the problem. Two areas have been identif...

Endometrial bleeding problems can be the major reason for discontinuing progestin-only contraception. In this study the endometrial angiogenic response in Norplant users was found to be lower than in women with normal menstrual cycles. These disturbances in angiogenic response may be caused by oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in the endometrium. The aims of this study were to investigate the effec...

Is breakthrough bleeding putting you on the spot? One common side effect for many women who use the NuvaRing [2] is spotting, or light blood loss in between their periods. This is a perfectly normal occurrence, and it does not mean that the NuvaRing is not working as a contraceptive. The amount of bleeding is usually minimal and may occur from time to time for no apparent reason. However, shoul...

oral contraceptive pills have several side effects especially on the gastrointestinal tract and liver. absorption of low dose (ld) pills by the vaginal route avoids the first pass of the steroids through these tracts and probably has fewer side effects. this study was a cohort study for evaluation of side effects and acceptability of ld pills administered by the vaginal route. in a clinical tri...

BACKGROUND The contraceptive efficacy and tolerability of a new flexible extended regimen of ethinylestradiol (EE) 20 μg/drospirenone (DRSP) 3 mg to extend the menstrual cycle and enable management of intracyclic (breakthrough) bleeding (flexible(MIB)) was investigated and the bleeding pattern compared with a conventional 28-day regimen and a fixed extended 124-day regimen. STUDY DESIGN This ...