Low-Dose Ethinylestradiol/Levonorgestrel

Excerpt

Almost 45 years have elapsed since the introduction of the first combined oral contraceptive (COC; ‘the pill’) in the market, with millions of women having benefited from its contraceptive and non-contraceptive benefits. Among the most important non-contraceptive benefits are the reduction of anaemia, ovarian cysts, dysmenorrhoea, and endometrial and ovarian cancer. The composition of COC has changed over time, with the introduction of different and new progestogens and with the reduction of estrogen levels. Nevertheless, although new formulations have been introduced, the most common combination used in a COC remains ethinylestradiol plus levonorgestrel. …