J Int Med Res (1917) 5, 53
The Mechanism of Action of a Normophasic Oral Contraceptive 'Fysioquens' F Franchi, M D , and Μ Luisi, M D , 1» Clínica Medica Generale e Terapia della Universita di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
Six women with normal menstrual cycles were treated over six cycles with Fysioquens, a normophasic contraceptive consisting of 7 tablets of ethinyloestradiol(EE)0·050 mg and 15 tablets containing l-O mg lynestrenol - 0 050 mg EE. In the \st, 3rd and 6th treatment cycles and in the cycles before and after treatment, hormonal assays and other tests were carried out to determine whether ovulation had occurred. No treatment cycles showed any signs of ovulation, but it did occur in the pre- and post-treatment cycles. Blood pressures and liver function tests remained normal, but two of the six volunteers showed a slight increase in body-weight.
Introduction Investigation into the mechanism of action of an oral contraceptive preparation is necessary to form a clearer idea about its efficacy. F o r example, with a contraceptive preparation of the normophasic type, in which oestrogen alone is administered for 7 days, then a combination of oestrogen and progestagen for 15 days, followed by a tabletfree interval of 6 days, one would particularly like to know whether ovulation could take place before the seventh day of the cycle, which would obviously increase the risk of pregnancy. During this early period the cervical mucosa, being under the influence of the oestrogen alone, is more easily pene trated by spermatozoa. Once the progestagen is present the mucosa changes in such a way that one can speak of an extra protecting factor against pregnancy.
taken place during treatment with Fysio quens.*
In the investigation now described we checked whether an escape ovulation had
•Organon International BV, Oss, The Netherlands. Other trade names: Physiostat, Physionorm, Normo phasic, Phasicon, Lyndiol phasic.
Material and Methods Six volunteers were treated with Fysioquens over 6 cycles. Each course using this prepara tion consists of 7 tablets each containing 0 - 0 5 0 m g ethinyloestradiol (EE) followed by 15 tablets of the combination, 1-0 mg lynestrenol and 0-050 mg EE. To be acceptable for this study, the patients selected were between 20 and 30 years old, of proven fertility, had 26-30 day regular cycles and were available for regular check ups. H o r m o n e assays and other tests were carried out before and after the six courses of treatment and during the 1st, 3rd and 6th treatment cycles (Table 1). Test methods and normal values are listed in Table 2.
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The Journal of International
54
Medical
00
The Mechanism of Action of a Normophasic Oral Contraceptive 'Fysioquens' F Franchi, M D , and Μ Luisi, M D , 1» Clínica Medica Generale e Terapia della Universita di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
Six women with normal menstrual cycles were treated over six cycles with Fysioquens, a normophasic contraceptive consisting of 7 tablets of ethinyloestradiol(EE)0·050 mg and 15 tablets containing l-O mg lynestrenol - 0 050 mg EE. In the \st, 3rd and 6th treatment cycles and in the cycles before and after treatment, hormonal assays and other tests were carried out to determine whether ovulation had occurred. No treatment cycles showed any signs of ovulation, but it did occur in the pre- and post-treatment cycles. Blood pressures and liver function tests remained normal, but two of the six volunteers showed a slight increase in body-weight.
Introduction Investigation into the mechanism of action of an oral contraceptive preparation is necessary to form a clearer idea about its efficacy. F o r example, with a contraceptive preparation of the normophasic type, in which oestrogen alone is administered for 7 days, then a combination of oestrogen and progestagen for 15 days, followed by a tabletfree interval of 6 days, one would particularly like to know whether ovulation could take place before the seventh day of the cycle, which would obviously increase the risk of pregnancy. During this early period the cervical mucosa, being under the influence of the oestrogen alone, is more easily pene trated by spermatozoa. Once the progestagen is present the mucosa changes in such a way that one can speak of an extra protecting factor against pregnancy.
taken place during treatment with Fysio quens.*
In the investigation now described we checked whether an escape ovulation had
•Organon International BV, Oss, The Netherlands. Other trade names: Physiostat, Physionorm, Normo phasic, Phasicon, Lyndiol phasic.
Material and Methods Six volunteers were treated with Fysioquens over 6 cycles. Each course using this prepara tion consists of 7 tablets each containing 0 - 0 5 0 m g ethinyloestradiol (EE) followed by 15 tablets of the combination, 1-0 mg lynestrenol and 0-050 mg EE. To be acceptable for this study, the patients selected were between 20 and 30 years old, of proven fertility, had 26-30 day regular cycles and were available for regular check ups. H o r m o n e assays and other tests were carried out before and after the six courses of treatment and during the 1st, 3rd and 6th treatment cycles (Table 1). Test methods and normal values are listed in Table 2.
Downloaded from imr.sagepub.com by guest on March 25, 2015
The Journal of International
54
Medical
00
