Effect on ovarian activity and ovulation inhibition of different oral dosages of levonorgestrel.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of different oral dosages of levonorgestrel (LNG) on ovarian activity and to identify the lowest dosage at which no ovulation occurred. Secondary objectives were to assess return of ovulation after stopping treatment, bleeding pattern, pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters and safety and tolerability.

Study Design: A parallel-group study with adaptive design was performed in 90 healthy women with proven ovulatory cycles.

Effects of an oral contraceptive containing estetrol and drospirenone on ovarian function.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of estetrol 15 mg/drospirenone 3 mg on ovarian function.

Study Design: Single-center, randomized, open-label, parallel study in healthy young women with proven ovulatory cycles. Participants received either estetrol 15 mg/drospirenone 3 mg (E4/DRSP) (n = 41) or ethinylestradiol 20 µg/drospirenone 3 mg (EE/DRSP) (n = 41) in a 24/4-day regimen for 3 consecutive cycles.

Endocrine and metabolic effects of an oral contraceptive containing estetrol and drospirenone.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect on endocrine and metabolic parameters of a new combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing estetrol (E4) and drospirenone (DRSP).

Study Design: Randomized, open-label, controlled, 3-arm, parallel study. Healthy subjects received either E4 15 mg/DRSP 3 mg (E4/DRSP) (n = 38), or ethinylestradiol (EE) 30 µg/levonorgestrel (LNG) 150 µg (n = 29), or EE 20 µg/DRSP 3 mg (n = 31) for 6 treatment cycles.

Unintended drug exposure during pregnancy in clinical trials - a survey in early drug development.

Purpose: To collect information on unintended drug exposure during pregnancy in early clinical drug development.

Materials And Methods: Questionnaire mailed in autumn 2015 to members of human pharmacology societies in Europe for anonymous responses via the online tool SurveyMonkey.

Results: 53 of the ~ 700 addressees participated in the survey.

Evaluation of the effect of a new oral contraceptive containing estetrol and drospirenone on hemostasis parameters.

Objective: To assess the effect on hemostasis parameters of a new combined oral contraceptive (COC).

Study Design: In this randomized, single centre, open-label, exploratory study, healthy women received either 15 mg estetrol/3 mg drospirenone (E4/DRSP) (n = 39), 30 mcg ethinylestradiol/150 mcg levonorgestrel (EE/LNG) (n = 30), or 20 mcg ethinylestradiol/3 mg drospirenone (EE/DRSP) (n = 32) for six 28-day cycles. Blood was collected at baseline, cycle 3, and cycle 6.

The effects on ovarian activity of delaying versus immediately restarting combined oral contraception after missing three pills and taking ulipristal acetate 30 mg.

Objective: Among combined oral contraception (COC) users, to determine the effect on ovarian activity and ovulation of waiting five days before restarting COC, versus restarting immediately, having taken ulipristal acetate 30 mg (UPA, the dose used for emergency contraception) after missing three consecutive COC pills.

Study Design: Women already using COC were enrolled for two cycles of COC use (21/7 regimen). In cycle 2, all women omitted COC pills for three consecutive days (days 5,6,7), and on day 8 took UPA 30 mg.

A phase 2b multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vaginal rings containing nomegestrol acetate or etonogestrel and 17β-estradiol in the treatment of women with primary dysmenorrhea.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of investigational vaginal rings containing nomegestrol acetate (NOMAC) plus 17β-estradiol (E2) or etonogestrel (ENG) plus E2 in women with moderate to severe primary dysmenorrhea.

Study Design: This was a Phase 2b randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter, double-blind study. We randomized participants to one of five treatment groups: four hormonal rings and one placebo ring.

Effect on endometrial histology and pharmacokinetics of different dose regimens of progesterone vaginal pessaries, in comparison with progesterone vaginal gel and placebo.

Study Question: Which progesterone vaginal pessary dose regimen induces adequate secretory transformation of the endometrium, in comparison with progesterone vaginal gel and placebo?

Summary Answer: The best secretory transformation of the endometrium was observed during treatment with 400 mg progesterone vaginal pessaries, administered twice daily.

What Is Known Already: Vaginally administered progesterone is widely used for luteal phase support (LPS) in assisted reproductive techniques (ART). Although several vaginal formulations using various doses are available, little is known on the impact of formulation and doses at the endometrial level.

Phase II dose-finding study on ovulation inhibition and cycle control associated with the use of contraceptive vaginal rings containing 17β-estradiol and the progestagens etonogestrel or nomegestrol acetate compared to NuvaRing.

Purpose: To identify at least one contraceptive vaginal ring that effectively inhibits ovulation and demonstrates cycle control that is non-inferior to NuvaRing (Merck Sharp & Dohme B.V., The Netherlands) in terms of an unscheduled bleeding incidence, with a non-inferiority margin of 10%.

A new fully human recombinant FSH (follitropin epsilon): two phase I randomized placebo and comparator-controlled pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic trials.

Study Question: What are the differences and similarities of pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) characteristics of the novel recombinant human FSH follitropin epsilon expressed in the human cell line GlycoExpress compared with a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) derived compound and a urinary derived product?

Summary Answer: Overall follitropin epsilon, with a fully human glycosylation, shows a comparable PK profile at single-dose as well as multiple-dose administration compared to recombinant CHO-derived FSH as well as urinary derived FSH, whereas the PD properties differ from product to product with follitropin epsilon being most active in PD parameters.

What Is Known Already: Recombinant FSH produced in CHO and FSH obtained from the urine of postmenopausal women show comparable PK and PD properties. However, more recently a comparative study of a recombinant FSH produced in the human cell line PerC6 and a CHO-derived FSH preparation revealed differences in PK and PD properties of the molecule.

Reduced hemostatic effects with drospirenone-based oral contraceptives containing estetrol vs. ethinyl estradiol.

Objective: The effects of estetrol (E4), a natural fetal estrogen, combined with drospirenone (DRSP) were evaluated on plasma levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), angiotensinogen and 12 hemostasis markers.

Study Design: Combinations of 3 mg DRSP with 5 or 10 mg E4 were compared with YAZ® (20 mcg ethinyl estradiol and 3 mg DRSP; EE/DRSP) in parallel groups of 15-18 healthy young women. Main outcome was the relative change from pretreatment to the end (day 24±1) of the third treatment cycle.

Oral follicle-stimulating hormone agonist tested in healthy young women of reproductive age failed to demonstrate effect on follicular development but affected thyroid function.

Objective: To assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of MK-8389.

Design: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, ascending dose study.

Setting: Two clinical research organizations.

A two-centre, open-label, randomised study of ovulation inhibition with three transdermal contraceptive patches, each containing different amounts of ethinyl estradiol and gestodene in healthy, young women.

Here we report the findings of a two-centre, open-label, randomised, Phase IIa study designed to investigate whether an ethinyl estradiol (EE)/gestodene (GSD) patch that has been developed (referred to herein as the 'EE/GSD patch') reliably inhibits ovulation in comparison with patches delivering lower doses of these hormones. The study rationale was to provide justification of the doses of EE and GSD selected for the EE/GSD patch. Healthy women, aged 18-35 years, were randomised to receive treatment with either the EE/GSD patch, a 'reduced-GSD patch' (delivering similar amounts of EE and approximately half the amount of GSD) or a 'reduced-EE/GSD patch' (delivering half the amount of EE and GSD).

A prospective, randomized, pharmacodynamic study of quick-starting a desogestrel progestin-only pill following ulipristal acetate for emergency contraception.

Study Question: Is there a pharmacodynamic interaction between ulipristal acetate (UPA) 30 mg for emergency contraception and a daily progestin-only contraceptive pill, desogestrel (DSG) 0.75 mg, when initiated the next day?

Summary Answer: In this study, DSG impaired the ability of UPA to delay ovulation, but UPA had little impact on the onset of contraceptive effects due to DSG.

What Is Known Already: UPA is a progesterone receptor modulator used for emergency contraceptive (EC) at the dose of 30 mg.

Inhibition of ovulation by administration of estetrol in combination with drospirenone or levonorgestrel: Results of a phase II dose-finding pilot study.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of different dosages of estetrol (E4) combined with one of two progestins in suppressing the pituitary-ovarian axis and ovulation in healthy premenopausal women.

Methods: This was an open, parallel, phase II, dose-finding, pilot study performed in healthy women aged 18 to 35 years with a documented ovulatory cycle before treatment. For three consecutive cycles in a 24/4-day regimen, participants received 5 mg or 10 mg E4/3 mg drospirenone (DRSP); 5 mg, 10 mg or 20 mg E4/150 μg levonorgestrel; or 20 μg ethinylestradiol (EE)/3 mg DRSP as comparator.

Unique effects on hepatic function, lipid metabolism, bone and growth endocrine parameters of estetrol in combined oral contraceptives.

Objectives: Estetrol (E4) is a natural estrogen produced by the human fetal liver. In combination with drospirenone (DRSP) or levonorgestrel (LNG), E4 blocks ovulation and has less effect on haemostatic biomarkers in comparison with ethinylestradiol (EE) combined with DRSP. This study evaluates the impact of several doses of E4/DRSP and E4/LNG on safety parameters such as liver function, lipid metabolism, bone markers and growth endocrine parameters.

The effects on ovarian activity of ulipristal acetate when 'quickstarting' a combined oral contraceptive pill: a prospective, randomized, double-blind parallel-arm, placebo-controlled study.

Study Question: What is the effect on ovarian activity of a preceding intake of ulipristal acetate (UPA) when starting a combined oral contraceptive (COC) in the mid- to late-follicular phase of the cycle?

Summary Answer: This study shows that UPA does not affect the ability of the COC to induce ovarian quiescence.

What Is Known Already: UPA is a progesterone receptor modulator that is available for emergency contraception (EC). In theory, UPA could alter the effectiveness of hormonal contraception started immediately following it and vice versa.

No interacting influence of lavender oil preparation silexan on oral contraception using an ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel combination.

Purpose: Silexan is an oral Lavender oil preparation with proven anxiolytic efficacy. Given the high prevalence of anxiety and restlessness in younger women, oral contraceptives and Silexan will likely be co-administered.

Methods: A double-blind, randomised, 2-period crossover study was performed to investigate the effects of Silexan on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Microgynon(®), a combination oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol 0.

Men perceive their female partners, and themselves, as more attractive around ovulation.

The purpose of this study was to test whether men perceive changes in their female partner's attractiveness as a function of her fertility status. We further tested how both male and female self-perception varies in relation to female fertility status. This study benefits from the use of transvaginal ultrasonography to detect fertility during the regular cycle and the use of a within-subjects design in which romantic couples were followed both across the cycle and during hormonal contraceptive use.

Pituitary, ovarian and additional contraceptive effects of an estradiol-based combined oral contraceptive: results of a randomized, open-label study.

Background: The estrogen step-down/progestogen step-up 28-day estradiol valerate/dienogest (E(2)V/DNG) oral contraceptive effectively inhibits ovulation; however, limited data are available regarding its effects on estradiol (E2), progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or its additional extraovarian contraceptive effects.

Study Design: In this secondary analysis, 100 women received E(2)V 3 mg on days 1-2, E(2)V 2 mg/DNG 2 mg on days 3-7, E(2)V 2 mg/DNG 3 mg on days 8-24, E(2)V 1 mg on days 25-26 and placebo on days 27-28 for one treatment cycle. Measures included the presence/absence of cervical mucus; endometrial thickness; and serum E2, progesterone, and gonadotropin levels.

Long-term tolerability of ethinylestradiol 20 μg/drospirenone 3 mg in a flexible extended regimen: results from a randomised, controlled, multicentre study.

Background: This study was designed to assess the long-term safety and tolerability of a new flexible extended regimen of ethinylestradiol (EE) 20 μg/drospirenone (DRSP) 3 mg, which allows management of intracyclic (breakthrough) bleeding [flexible management of intracyclic (breakthrough) bleeding (MIB)], in comparison to conventional 28-day and fixed extended regimens.

Study Design: In this Phase III, multicentre, open-label study, women (aged 18-35 years) were randomised to EE/DRSP in the following regimens: flexible(MIB) (24-120 days' active hormonal intake followed by a 4-day tablet-free interval), conventional 28-day (24 days' active hormonal intake followed by a 4-day hormone-free interval) or fixed extended (120 days' uninterrupted active hormonal intake followed by a 4-day tablet-free interval) during a 1-year comparative phase. Thereafter, women entered a 1-year safety extension phase in which the majority received the flexible(MIB) regimen.

Contraceptive efficacy and tolerability of ethinylestradiol 20 μg/drospirenone 3 mg in a flexible extended regimen: an open-label, multicentre, randomised, controlled study.

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 Phase III, 2-year, multicentre, open-label study randomly (4:1:1) allocated women (aged 18-35 years) to the following regimens: flexible(MIB) (24-120 days' active hormonal intake with 4-day tablet-free intervals); conventional (24 days' active hormonal intake followed by a 4-day hormone-free interval); or fixed extended (120 days' uninterrupted active hormonal intake followed by a 4-day tablet-free interval). Primary outcomes included the number of bleeding/spotting days during Year 1 (all regimens) and the number of observed unintended pregnancies over 2 years (flexible(MIB) only).

Ovulation-inhibiting effects of dienogest in a randomized, dose-controlled pharmacodynamic trial of healthy women.

Dienogest offers pharmacological advantages for the effective treatment of endometriosis and for use in contraception and hormone replacement therapy. This pharmacodynamic study investigated the ovulation-inhibiting effects of dienogest monotherapy in healthy women. Dienogest was administered at 0.

Bioequivalence study of an oral contraceptive containing ethinylestradiol/drospirenone/levomefolate calcium relative to ethinylestradiol/drospirenone and to levomefolate calcium alone.

Background: A new tablet formulation containing 0.02 mg ethinylestradiol/3 mg drospirenone/0.451 mg levomefolate calcium (calcium salt containing 0.