Methods of extended use oral contraception

Abstract

A method of female contraception involves administering a combination of estrogen and progestin for 60-110 consecutive days in which the daily amounts of estrogen and progestin are equivalent to about 5-35 mcg of ethinyl estradiol and about 0.025 to 10 mg of norethindrone acetate, respectively. The advantages include less menstrual bleeding, less patient anemia, less total exposure to medication, higher compliance rates and more lifestyle convenience for patients.

1. A method of extended female contraception that reduces the number of menstrual periods per year, which comprises orally monophasicly administering to a pre-menopausal female a combination of estrogen and progestin for 60-110  84 consecutive days in which the daily amounts of estrogen and progestin are equivalent to about 5-35  30 mcg of ethinyl estradiol and about 0.025 to 10  0.25-1.5 mg of norethindrone acetate, respectively, following  followed by non-administration  administration of a placebo for a period of 3-10  5-8 days, wherein the combination of estrogen and progestin and the placebo are packaged together in a kit, and wherein the method of female contraception reduces the number of menstrual periods per year to four when the method is practiced for at least one year. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  in which the daily amount of estrogen is equivalent to about 10 to 20 mcg of ethinyl estradiol. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  in which the daily amount of progestin is equivalent to 0.25-1.5 mg of norethindrone acetate. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  in which the combination is administered for at least 80 consecutive days. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  in which the estrogen is ethinyl estradiol. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  in which the progestin is norethindrone acetate. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  in which the daily amount of progestin is equivalent to 0.25-1.5 mg of norethindrone acetate. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  in which the combination is administered for at least 80 consecutive days. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  in which the estrogen is ethinyl estradiol. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  in which the progestin is norethindrone acetate. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  in which the daily amount of estrogen is up to 30 mcg of ethinyl estadiol. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 9  in which the progestin is levonorgestrel.