Suppression of estrogen-withdrawal headache with extended transdermal contraception

Fertil Steril. 2005 Jun;83(6):1875-7. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.12.048.

Abstract

A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 239 women at nine clinical research sites to compare bleeding profile, headache frequency, and subject satisfaction with the transdermal contraceptive, ORTHO EVRA (norelgestromin/ethinyl estradiol transdermal system) used in an extended regimen (84 days) with a traditional, 28-day cyclic regimen. In a majority of women studied, compared with cyclic use, extended use of transdermal norelgestromin/ethinyl estradiol delayed menses and reduced the total incidence of mean headache days during the hormone-free interval.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Drug Combinations
  • Ethisterone / administration & dosage
  • Ethisterone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Female
  • Headache / drug therapy*
  • Headache / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Norgestrel / administration & dosage
  • Norgestrel / analogs & derivatives*
  • Oximes / administration & dosage
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / prevention & control
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Drug Combinations
  • Oximes
  • Norgestrel
  • Ethisterone
  • norelgestromin