While COCs containing 20 μg EE may be theoretically safer, this review did not focus on the rare events required to assess this hypothesis. Data from existing randomized controlled trials are inadequate to detect possible differences in contraceptive effectiveness. Low-dose estrogen COCs resulted in higher rates of bleeding pattern disruptions. However, most trials compared COCs containing different progestin types, and changes in bleeding patterns could be related to progestin type as well as estrogen dose. Higher follow-up rates are essential for meaningful interpretation of results.
A comparison of cycle control, efficacy, and side effects among healthy Thai women between two low-dose oral contraceptives containing 20 microg ethinylestradio1/75 microg gestodene (Meliane) and 30 microg ethinylestradio1/75 microg gestodene (Gynera).
The purpose of this study was to compare cycle control, efficacy and side effects of an oral contraceptive containing 20 microg ethinylestradiol and 75 microg gestodene, with a reference preparation containing 30 microg ethinylestradiol combined with 75 microg gestodene. From the study, it was demonstrated that the two regimens had no difference in cycle control, efficacy, and side effects. The occurrence of spotting and breakthrough bleeding was low and was not different between these two preparations. The most common adverse events in both treatment groups were nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and chloasma. There were no statistically significant change in body weight and blood pressure in both groups at the end of study. It is concluded that both preparations are good cycle control, reliable and low side effects oral contraceptives.
                Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Inc.