Prospective Study of a Monophasic Oral Contraceptive Pill Containing 20 mcg Ethinyl Oestradiol and 150 mcg Progestrel (Mercilon TM)

Abstract

Oral contraceptive pill registered 72 - 75% of the overall contraceptive usage ever since it was introduced in Malaysia. Most of the oral contraceptive pills available contain 30 mcg of Ethinyl Oestradiol and a standard progestogen, which ranges from Levanogestrel, Desogestrel and Gestoden. MercilonTM however is an oral contraceptive containing the progestogen, Desogestrel and 20 mcg of Ethinyl Oestradiol which has recently been
introduced in the Malaysian market. A similar concentration known as Marvelon which contains Desogestrel and 30 mcg of Ethinyl Oestradiol has already been available in Malaysia since 1982 and has already been evaluated. Therefore it is imperative that MercilonTM be put on trial as well. In this prospective, open and non-comparative study 200 women in the reproductive age group who asked for oral contraceptives were given MercilonTM. They were counselled on when to start the first and the subsequent packet of pills and were informed to come for a scheduled 1,2,3 and 6th cycle follow-ups. The duration of the study was 6 months. At follow-ups, cycle efficacy, cycle control and side effects were assessed.