| Abstract: | A study was made in Bombay, India of oral contraception using 2 combinations of ethynodiol diacetate and mestranol in 521 women over a period of 3 years with a total of 5196 menstrual cycles. The women were divided into 2 groups: 1 using 1 mg of ethynodiol diacetate plus .1 mg of mestranol and the other using .5 mg of ethynodiol diacetate and .1 mg of mestranol. 70% of the women studied were aged 21-30 years. Women over 35 and those with more than 3 children were urged to undergo operative procedures. Most had used no contraceptive method previously, 56.6% desired planned families, and 43.4% wanted no more children. There was a monthly interview when a new supply of tablets was distributed. No pregnancies followed in either group when tablets were taken regularly, but 2 did occur otherwise. Side effects were most severe during the first cycle. 55 women (10.5%) discontinued medication at the end of 3 years because of side effects. 267 discontinued the program because pills were not available near their homes. Of these, 71 became pregnant over the 3-year period, only 10 of whom desired pregnancy. None showed evidence of thromboembolic phenomena. Liver function tests showed no change. The cycle length of most women taking the preparations became more regular at 27-28 days. There was little difference in side effects of the 2 preparations. |
