UMMS Affiliation
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Publication Date
2008-10
Document Type
Article
Subjects
Contraceptives, Oral
Disciplines
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Abstract
Oral contraceptives are classically given in a cyclic manner with 21 days of active pills followed by 7 days of placebo. In the past 4 years, new oral contraceptives have been introduced which either shorten the placebo time, lengthen the active pills (extended cycle), or provide active pills every day (continuous). These concepts are not new; extended and continuous pills were first studied in the 1960s and 1970s and have been provided in an off-label manner by gynecologists to treat menstrual disorders, such as menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea, and gynecologic disorders, such as endometriosis. Now that extended and continuous combined oral contraceptives are available for all patients, it is critical for providers to understand the physiology, dosing, side effects, and benefits of this form of oral contraceptive. This article reviews the history and the potential uses of the new continuous combined oral contraceptive.
Rights and Permissions
Publisher PDF posted as allowed by the publisher's author rights policy at http://www.dovepress.com/author_guidelines.php?content_id=696.
DOI of Published Version
10.2147/TCRM.S2143
Source
Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2008 Oct;4(5):905-11. DOI: 10.2147/TCRM.S2143. Link to article on publisher's website
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Therapeutics and clinical risk management
Related Resources
PubMed ID
19209272
Repository Citation
Wright, Kristen Page and Johnson, Julia V., "Evaluation of extended and continuous use oral contraceptives" (2008). Obstetrics and Gynecology Publications and Presentations. 62.
https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/obgyn_pp/62
Comments
At the time of publication, Julia Johnson was not yet affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Medical School.