Problems and side effects may differ greatly between races where genetic factors, dietary differences and steroid interactions with other drugs, disorders and diseases are areas where our knowledge is incomplete. Ethinyl oestradiol the oestrogen currently used in the combined oral contraceptive pill. In differing doses it is also responsible for some of the well documented side effects cited above. Pharmacological rules tell us that an effect by dose is drug dependant. Ovulation inhibition by Combined oral Contraception Pill is no exception.
Side effects follow the same pattern but at higher dose level.
Recently a new oral contraceptive pill has become available with 15 micrograms of ethinyl oestradiol and 60 micrograms of gestodene as its contents. Despite the lower doses of oestrogen which should contribute to the reduction of oestrogenic side effects. In a study of 1496 women over 13 to 19 cycles only 3 pregnancies were reported, while the duration and intensity of withdrawal bleeding was reduced. This preparation is based on a 24 day active regime with 4 placebo pills being taken to complete the 28 day cycle. From a clinical perspective, most effects induced by progestins are negative.