[A clinical trial of a monophasic contraceptive preparation containing ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel].

A multicenter trial was conducted in 267 centers in Italy to evaluate the efficacy, acceptability and safety of a monophasic oral contraceptive containing 30 micrograms ethinyl estradiol and 150 micrograms desogestrel (Marvelon). 13,290 women were followed up for a total of 74,967 cycles. No pregnancies due to method failure were reported and only three because of patient failure. Cycle control was good. There was a decrease in the occurrence of irregular cycles and in the duration and amount of menstrual bleeding; the incidence of breakthrough bleeding and spotting was low. No severe side effects occurred and the incidence of minor complaints was generally lower during treatment than in the pretreatment cycle. Body weight and blood pressure were not significantly altered.