[Contribution to the study of synthetic progestins. Analysis of a 17-hydroxyprogesterone derivative combined with ethinyl estradiol]

The oral contraceptive Estrafarlutal composed of 2 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate and .075 mg of ethinyl estradiol (MPA-EE) taken daily from the 5th to the 24th day of the menstrual cycle was studied in 100 patients over a total of 1355 cycles. The effects of the drug on vaginal cytology cervical mucus and other side effects were studied. The drug was found to be without significant effects on blood coagulation and on liver function. Psychosexual alteration such as frigidity were found in 17 cases but 12 of these patients were suffering from similar disorders prior to treatment: of the 12 cases 6 improved and 6 worsened with MPA-EE treatment. Intermenstrual bleeding and spotting occurred in 43 cases. The duration of the cycle was altered in 60 cases and the duration of menstrual bleeding in 34. Side effects were absent in only 10 cases. The contraceptive efficacy of the drug was 100% without any unwanted pregnancy.