Present Status of Injectable Contraceptives: Results of Seven-Years Study

2 experimental contraceptive injection programs are reported. 1 method provides for administration of a combined long-acting estrogen-progestogen product once a month the other uses a long acting progestogen alone once every 90 days. In the once-a-month injection program in Los Angeles 615 patients representing 871 admissions were studied; treatment data are for both 1st and all admissions. Age distribution was 21-25 years. Patients received 150 mg of progestogen/10 mg estrogen injection. 88.1% reported cycles of 22-30 days/on admission. Some results are: For 1st and all admissions average duration of flow was 6.6 days; for 1st admission group complaints consisted of breast tenderness 46% dysmenorrhea 61.8% weakness or dizziness 42.8% local reaction to injection 37.4%. For all admissions complaints were: breast tenderness 43.3% dysmenorrhea 59.6% weakness 40.2% local reaction 33%. Reasons for dropout for both groups included rigidity of protocol about 52% moved away 4.5% extraneous illness 1.5%; 64.4% of all admissions discontinued treatment due to unrelated reasons. No pregnancies were reported. The once every 90 day injection of medroxyprogesterone acetate given in doses of 150 mg were given to 243 women of whom 57% were aged 20-29. Some results are: 1) number of days of bleeding ranged from 6-20 days 2) 4.6% reported nervousness 3.4% nausea 2.1% headaches 3) main reasons for dropouts were moving away 11.8% bleeding 4.6% and 4) 1/3 resumed ovulation within 1/2 year. Both methods are found to be extremely effective.