Extended cycle combined hormonal contraceptive

Extended cycle combined hormonal contraceptives
Background
TypeHormonal
First use1993 (first randomized study)[1]
Pregnancy rates (first year)
Perfect use?
Typical use0.9%
Usage
Duration effectvaries
ReversibilityYes
User remindersvaries
Advantages and disadvantages
STI protectionNo
PeriodsEliminates or reduces frequency
BenefitsReduce menstruation related symptoms, reduce risk of anemia

Extended or continuous cycle combined oral contraceptive pills are a packaging of combined oral contraceptive pills (COCPs) that reduce or eliminate the withdrawal bleeding that would occur once every 28 days in traditionally packaged COCPs. It works by reducing the frequency of the pill-free or placebo days. Extended cycle use of COCPs may also be called menstrual suppression,[2] although other hormonal medications or medication delivery systems (hormonal intrauterine devices—IUDs) may also be used to suppress menses. Any brand of combined oral contraceptive pills can be used in an extended or continuous manner by simply discarding the placebo pills; this is most commonly done with monophasic pills in which all of the pills in a package contain the same fixed dosing of a synthetic estrogen and a progestin in each active pill.[3]

Other combined hormonal contraceptives (those containing both an estrogen and a progestin) may also be used in an extended or continuous cycle. For example, the NuvaRing vaginal ring[4] and the contraceptive patch[5] have been studied for extended cycle use, and the monthly combined injectable contraceptive may similarly eliminate bleeding.[6]

  1. ^ Wright KP, Johnson JV (October 2008). "Evaluation of extended and continuous use oral contraceptives". Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management. 4 (5): 905–11. doi:10.2147/tcrm.s2143. PMC 2621397. PMID 19209272.
  2. ^ "Health Matters: Understanding Menstrual Suppression". Association of Reproductive Health Professionals. October 2006. Retrieved 2007-11-16.
  3. ^ Contraceptive technology. Hatcher, Robert A. (Robert Anthony), 1937- (20th rev. ed.). New York, N.Y.: Ardent Media. 2011. p. 257. ISBN 978-1597080026. OCLC 244395421.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. ^ Organon (September 15, 2005). "NuvaRing is effective and well tolerated in extended use - Most women would like to decrease their number of periods a year". Archived from the original on December 12, 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
    Miller L, Verhoeven CH, Hout J (2005). "Extended regimens of the contraceptive vaginal ring: a randomized trial". Obstet Gynecol. 106 (3): 473–82. doi:10.1097/01.AOG.0000175144.08035.74. PMID 16135576. S2CID 46164922.
    Barreiros FA, Guazzelli CA, de Araujo FF, Barbosa R (2007). "Bleeding patterns of women using extended regimens of the contraceptive vaginal ring". Contraception. 75 (3): 204–8. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2006.10.009. PMID 17303490.
  5. ^ Stewart FH, Kaunitz AM, Laguardia KD, Karvois DL, Fisher AC, Friedman AJ (June 2005). "Extended use of transdermal norelgestromin/ethinyl estradiol: a randomized trial". Obstet Gynecol. 105 (6): 1389–96. doi:10.1097/01.AOG.0000160430.61799.f6. PMID 15932834. S2CID 8831803.
  6. ^ "Lunelle (Monthly Injection)". Feminist Women's Health Center. January 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-05-29. Retrieved 2007-06-17.