THE EVERY-OTHER-DAY PILL

Norgestrel (DL-13beta-ethyl-17alpha-ethinyl-17beta hydroxy-gon-4-en-3-one) a synthetic progestin was used as an oral contraceptive in doses of .5 mg plus .05 mg ethinyl estradiol. Others had shown that this does was apparently effective for 48 hours. Therefore a regimen of taking a pill on alternate days was tested on 51 young women of proven fertility and active sex life for periods ranging from 4 to 12 months. A total of 235 cycles was studied. Patients were given a months supply of 10 pills and instructed to take one every other day starting on day 5 of the menstrual cycle. Appropriate examinations were carried out before and during treatment. No pregnancies occurred but the usual changes resulting from oral contraceptives were noted in the menstrual patterns of patients. Side effects were less than when the pills had been taken daily during the usual period of 21 days. The most important side effects were amenorrhea and breakthrough bleeding. The breakthrough bleeding was eliminated by giving an additional pill every other day or by giving a pill daily for 4 consecutive days. This method of every-other-day treatment is recommended.