Endometrial histology following 1 year of a continuous daily regimen of levonorgestrel 90 micro g/ethinyl estradiol 20 micro g

Contraception. 2007 Jan;75(1):23-6. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2006.07.009. Epub 2006 Sep 7.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a continuous daily regimen of levonorgestrel (LNG) 90 micro g/ethinyl estradiol (EE) 20 micro g on endometrial histology.

Methods: This was a substudy of a large phase 3 trial conducted in six sites in North America. Healthy and sexually active women aged between 18 and 49 years took LNG 90 micro g/EE 20 micro g daily for 1 year. Results from endometrial biopsies performed at pretreatment baseline and those after at least 6 months of treatment were compared.

Results: Of the 146 participants, 93 had a baseline biopsy and completed at least six pill packs. Before treatment, 56 subjects (60%) had an endometrial biopsy with findings classified as "weakly proliferative or proliferative." During the last on-therapy visit, 48 subjects (52%) had an endometrium categorized as "other," which included primarily an inactive or benign endometrium (n=42). No hyperplasia or malignancy was observed during the study.

Conclusion: The results of a 1-year continuous regimen of LNG 90 micro g/EE 20 micro g were shown to have a good endometrial safety profile.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase III
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Contraceptive Agents, Female / administration & dosage*
  • Contraceptive Agents, Female / adverse effects
  • Endometrium / drug effects*
  • Endometrium / pathology*
  • Estrogens / administration & dosage
  • Estrogens / adverse effects
  • Ethinyl Estradiol / administration & dosage*
  • Ethinyl Estradiol / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Levonorgestrel / administration & dosage*
  • Levonorgestrel / adverse effects
  • Metrorrhagia / prevention & control
  • Middle Aged
  • Safety
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Contraceptive Agents, Female
  • Estrogens
  • Ethinyl Estradiol
  • Levonorgestrel