Conditions: Breakthrough Bleeding
Keywords: continuous oral contraceptives Matrix Metalloproteinase expression
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 20
Healthy volunteers: yes

Brief summary:
The purpose of this study is to compare the effects (good and bad) of subantimicrobial dose doxycycline on the irregular bleeding women experience when taking continuous oral contraceptive pills. This research is being done because currently, there is no effective treatment for this condition. Findings from this study could help to decrease the side effects of birth control pills and decrease unplanned pregnancies.

Detailed description:
Continuous oral contraceptive administration entails women taking hormonally active pills for 28 days without a seven day placebo week to avoid hormonal withdrawal bleeding. Unfortunately, with continuous administration, timed, regular bleeding can be replace by irregular, unscheduled bleeding, which often leads to dissatisfaction, discontinuation and the possibility of unplanned pregnancy.

Matrix Metalloproteinases, a group of zinc-dependant proteases, are hypothesized to play a role in endometrial degradation. The purpose of this study is to describe the expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases in endometrial biopsy specimens collected 1) prior to initiating oral contraceptives 2) while taking cyclic oral contraceptive 3) while taking continuous oral contraceptives and 4) while taking continuous oral contraceptives along with sub-antimicrobial doxycycline.

Arms:
arm 1: Women will take sub-antimicrobial doxycyline in addition to the continuous oral contraceptive pill. arm 2: Women will take only the continuous oral contraceptive.

Interventions: intervention 1: Doxycycline
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: 40 mg orally at the start of cycle 3 (study day 57) for 28 days.

Protocol document: