HORMONE EXCRETION PATTERNS DURING AND AFTER THE LONG-TERM ADMINISTRATION OF ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES

Abstract

ABSTRACT Hormone assay studies have been conducted in 5 women receiving long-term oral contraceptive therapy with progestogen-oestrogen mixtures and in one subject receiving a progestogen alone. The results, which confirmed those of a previous investigation, showed that pituitary inhibition was not produced in spite of long-term treatment and that, following withdrawal of medication, the cycles reverted to an ovulatory pattern. In at least two women the pattern of urinary steroid in the first cycle after treatment was atypical.