Effects of an oral contraceptive combination containing 0.150 mg Desogestrel plus 0.020 mg Ethinylestradiol on healthy premenopausal women

Twenty-six healthy premenopausal outpatients from the Menopause Clinic of the University of Bologna were treated with a combination pill containing 0.020 mg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.150 mg of desogestrel for one year. Throughout the treatment period, clinical and laboratory monitoring was periodically performed, and women were asked about the occurrence of climacteric symptoms. This formulation relieved climacteric symptoms, and did not adversely affect lipids and clotting factors, except for a slight increase in serum triglycerides. Laboratory data also suggest a beneficial effect on bone metabolism.