A double-blind comparison of the efficacy and acceptability of Femodene and Microgynon-30.

The efficacy, cycle-control and tolerance of Microgynon-30, a widely prescribed levonorgestrel containing oral contraceptive, and Femodene, a new oral-contraceptive containing gestodene, were compared in a randomised, double-blind study involving 456 healthy women over a 6 month period. 229 women were allocated to receive Femodene and 227 received Microgynon-30. No differences between the groups in terms of obstetric and gynaecological history, previous contraceptive history, smoking habits, blood-pressure or body weight at admission were observed.

Oral contraceptive steroids and breast secretions.

Breast secretions were obtained by nipple aspiration from 164 (44.7%) of 368 consecutive premenopausal non-pregnant women volunteers attending family planning clinics. Women currently taking oral contraceptive steroids were significantly less likely to yield breast secretions than women who had never taken such preparations.