Bleeding pattern and cycle control with an estradiol-based oral contraceptive: a seven-cycle, randomized comparative trial of estradiol valerate/dienogest and ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel

BackgroundThis study compared the bleeding pattern, cycle control and safety of an oral contraceptive (OC) comprising estradiol valerate/dienogest (E2V/DNG; administered using a dynamic dosing regimen) with a monophasic OC containing ethinyl estradiol 20 mcg/levonorgestrel 100 mcg (EE/LNG). E2V releases estradiol (E2), which is identical to endogenously produced 17β-estradiol.Study designThis was a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, double-dummy trial lasting seven cycles in healthy women aged 18–50 years.ResultsOverall, 798 women were randomized and received allocated treatment (399 per group). There were significantly fewer bleeding/spotting days reported by women who received E2V/DNG than those who received EE/LNG [17.3±10.4 vs. 21.5±8.6, respectively, p<.0001, Reference Period 1 (Days 1–90); and 13.4±9.vs. 15.9±7.1, respectively, p<.0001, Reference Period 2 (Days 91–180)]. Through Cycles 1–7, the occurrence of scheduled withdrawal bleeding per cycle was 77.7–83.2% with E2V/DNG and 89.5–93.8% with EE/LNG (p<.0001 per cycle). The duration and intensity of scheduled withdrawal bleeding were reduced with E2V/DNG vs. EE/LNG. The incidence of intracyclic bleeding was similar with E2V/DNG (10.5%–18.6%) and EE/LNG (9.9%–17.1%) (p>.05 per cycle). No unintended pregnancies occurred with E2V/DNG, but there was one unintended pregnancy with EE/LNG. Adverse drug reactions occurred in 10.0% and 8.5% of women taking E2V/DNG and EE/LNG, respectively. Overall, 79.4% of women were satisfied with E2V/DNG and 79.9% with EE/LNG.ConclusionsA novel OC composed of E2V/DNG is associated with an acceptable bleeding profile that is comparable to that of an EE-containing OC.