Comparative study on the effect of combine low dose contraceptive pills administered by the oral and vaginal routes on bleeding pattern in dysfunctional uterine bleeding

It has been shown that contraceptive pills, which are commonly used orally, have some side effects, such as vomiting, nausea, high blood pressure. Vaginally usage of the contraceptive pills reduces these side effects. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effect of orally and vaginally usage of low dose contraceptive pills on bleeding pattern in dysfunctional uterine bleeding. In this clinical trial study, 100 women who had been referred to the Shahid-Beheshti and Al-Zahra hospitals of Isfahan as having dysfunctional uterine bleeding were divided into two equal groups. Groups 1 were given contraceptive pills orally and group 2 vaginally. Using pictorial bleeding assessment, the amount and duration of uterine bleeding were measured at the beginning and end of the study. In addition, the side effects of the pills were evaluated at the end of the study from both groups. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test. Low dose contraceptive pill in vaginal route decreased bleeding amount and duration of bleeding more effectively than oral rout [P < 0.05]. The side effects of contraceptives, such as nausea and vomiting was significantly higher in orally-used group compared to the vaginally-used group [P < 0.05], but vulvo-vaginitis was significantly higher in vaginally-used group [P < 0.05]. Using the contraceptive pill by vaginal rout is a safe method with few side effects compared with the oral rout

Comparison of cycle control and side effects between transdermal contraceptive patch and an oral contraceptive in women older than 35 years.

OBJECTIVE: To compare menstrual patterns and side effects between transdermal contraceptive patch and oral contraceptive use in Thai women over 35 years old. DESIGN: Open labeled randomized control trial. SETTING: Family Planning Clinic, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Ninety-six women above the age of 35 years old were randomized to receive either transdermal contraceptive patch (n = 48) or oral contraceptive (n = 48). The patch regimen was three consecutive 7-day patches (21 days) followed by 1 patch-free week per cycle; the oral contraceptive contained with ethinyl estradiol (EE) 30 microg and levonorgestrel 150 microg. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of cycle length. The mean duration in the transdermal contraceptive group was longer than the COC group with statistically significant difference. More patients in the COC group experienced spotting than the transdermal contraceptive group. Neither amenorrhea nor pregnancies occurred in both groups. CONCLUSION: Transdermal contraceptive patch provides reliable contraceptive efficacy. It also provides good cycle control equal to COC in Thai women aged above 35 years old. However, a higher incidence of minor adverse effects such as breast tenderness and nausea were demonstrated when compared to oral contraceptive containing with ethinyl estradiol (EE) 30 microg and levonorgestrel 150 microg.

Male contraception: expanding reproductive choice.

The development of steroid-based oral contraceptives had revolutionized the availability of contraceptive choice for women. In order to expand the contraceptive options for couples by developing an acceptable, safe and effective male contraceptive, scientists have been experimenting with various steroidal/non-steroidal regimens to suppress testicular sperm production. The non-availability of a long-acting androgen was a limiting factor in the development of a male contraceptive regimen since all currently tested anti-spermatogenic agents also concurrently decrease circulating testosterone levels. A combination regimen of long-acting progestogen and androgen would have advantage over an androgen-alone modality since the dose of androgen required would be much smaller in the combination regimen, thereby decreasing the adverse effects of high steroid load. The progestogen in the combination regimen would act as the primary anti-spermatogenic agent. Currently, a number of combination regimens using progestogen or GnRH analogues combined with androgen are undergoing trials. The side effects of long-term use of androgens and progestogens have also undergone evaluation in primate models and the results of these studies need to be kept in view, while considering steroidal regimens for contraceptive use in men. Efforts are also being made to popularize non-scalpel vasectomy and to develop condoms of greater acceptability. The development of contraceptive vaccines for men, using sperm surface epitopes not expressed in female reproductive tract as source, still requires considerable research efforts.

Sperm motility inhibiting activity of a phytosterol from Alstonia macrophylla Wall ex A. DC. leaf extract: a tribal medicine.

The role of methanolic extract and n-butanol fraction of A. macrophylla leaves was investigated on the forward motility of goat spermatozoa. The methanol extract (600 micro/g/ml) and one n-butanol fraction (Fraction A; 100 microg/ml) showed marked inhibition of sperm forward motility, tested by microscopic and spectrophotometric methods. Approximately, 50-60% of the spermatozoa lost their motility when treated with 600 microg/ml of methanol extract or 100 microg/ml of Fraction A. The Fraction A at 400 microg/ml concentration showed complete inhibition of sperm forward motility at 0 min. The inhibitory activity increased with the increasing concentrations of the fraction. The motility inhibitory activity of the Fraction A was stable to heat treatment at 100 degrees C for 2 min. The compound showed high inhibitory effect in the pH range 6.7-7.6. Fraction A also showed high efficacy for inhibiting human sperm motility, assessed by the microscopic method. The phytochemical analysis of methanolic extract of A. macrophylla leaves revealed the presence of sterols, triterpene, flavonoid, alkaloid, tannin and reducing sugar, while the Fraction A contains beta-sitosterol, a common phytosterol. The results demonstrate that Fraction A (beta-sitosterol) is a potent inhibitor of sperm motility and thus it has the potential to serve as a vaginal contraceptive.

Fine structure of prolactin cell of female albino rat as affected by some antifertility drugs--a comparative electron microscopic study.

One antioestrogenic compound as well as some antifertility drugs have been administered to female albino rats over a period of six months to study their long term effects on fine structures in PRL cell. Almost in all the cases, the dynamics of hormone synthesis and secretion have been affected. Fine structure is suggestive of activation of synthetic machinery of the cell. The cell picture under the estradiol valerate regimen presents a transitional stage progressing towards involution due to accelerated cell cycle. Sparse granulation, frequent granule extrusion and misplaced exocytosis under the influence of tamoxifen citrate or levonorgestrel + ethinyloestradiol are similar to those observed in adenomatous PRL cell. Fine structural correlates of stepped up synthesis are also observed following chronic progesterogenic influences of progesterone and norethisterone heptanoate, but the magnitude of the change is on a lower scale. All the fine structural changes have been discussed in the context of ultrastructural pathology.

Effect of oral and injectable contraceptive on serum cacium magnesium and phosphorus in women

This study aims at evaluating serum calcium, magnesium and phosphorus levels in women taking oral and injectable contraceptives. Serum calcium, magnesium and phosphorus were measured in 50 women taking oral contraceptives [Lofeminal] and 50 women taking injectable contraceptive [Depo-medroxy progesterone acetate and Norigest]. These women were used as controls before starting these contraceptives. There was significant decrease in serum levels of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus in women taking oral contraceptives but there was significant increase in these minerals in women taking injectable contraceptives. Conclusions: It is suggested that these contraceptives should be used with due care and with proper investigations of the women before and during the therapy

Breast feeding patterns in lactating women using progestogen-progesterone only contraceptive methods

After the realization that the contraceptives containing estrogen have a negative effect on the quantity and may be on the quality of breast milk [WHO], 1988]. Progestogen only preparations remained an important option, while these preparations are considered safe for use by well nourished women, their safety on marginally nourished population is not proven. 480 postpartum fully lactating women were divided into 4 groups [120 each according to the contraceptive-methods, they used POP, DMPA, CVR or IUD. Follow up continued until the infant is one year of age. infant feeding patterns were recorded at regular follow up visits. The 3 hormonal groups did not significantly differ from the IUD group in the rates of continuing to breastfeed, in the rates of introducing supplementation in the rates of weaning and in the number of breastfeeding episodes per day. This supports the conclusion that these 3 progestogen only methods do not have any negative effect on breastfeeding performance when used by postpartum lactating women

Antireproductive effects of the pineal extract of camel in female mice

This investigation has been carried out to study the effect of graded doses [0.5, 1 and 1.5 ml] of the peptide pineal extract of camel on the uterine weight and on early pregnancy in female mice. It has been demonstrated that the highest dose [1.5 ml] of the pineal extract, administrated to mature female mice induced the following effects: Inhibited the stimulatory effect of HCG on uterus of non pregnant mature female mice. On the 2nd day of pregnancy, injection of the same dose of the extract led to 100% interruption of pregnancy and 100% reduction in the mean number of implantation sites. A significant decrease [P < 0.001] in the average number of corpora lutea, Lutein cells, and number of uterine blood capillaries and their transverse diameter when compared with that of normal pregnancy. Histological examination of the interrupted pregnant uteri showed similar finding to those of the dioestrus phase. On the 4th day of pregnancy, injection of the same dose of the pineal extract led to a lesser interruption of pregnancy on comparison with that on the 2nd day or pregnancy. The administration of another two low doses [0.5 and 1 ml] on the 2nd day of pregnancy, lead to a weaker effect on the uterine weight and pregnancy. This work suggests that, the inhibition of the stimulatory effect of the HCG on uterine weight and interruption of pregnancy of the pineal extract may be due to its antigonadal action

Effect of steroidal fraction of seeds of Abrus precatorius Linn. on rat testis.

Dose-dependent degenerative changes in the testicular weights, sperm count, later stages of spermatogenesis and Leydig cells are observed in testis of rats treated with steroidal fraction of seeds of A. precatorius. These are correlated with the dose-dependent decrease in the enzyme activity of 3 alpha, 3 beta, 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, sorbitol dehydrogenase and leucine aminopeptidase. The steroidal fraction may also exert its influence indirectly at the pituitary level by a feedback mechanism, leading to decrease in production and release of testosterone which results in significant alterations in the testis.

Estudos farmacocinéticos do enantato de estradiol em mulheres na menopausa / Pharmacokinetic studies of estradiol enantate in menopausic women

Mulher sadias na menopausa receberam 10 mg i.mg i.m. de enantato de estradiol (estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3-ol-17ß-heptanoato, um dos componentes do Perlutal ou Topasel). Os níveis séricos de estradiol foram determinados por radioimunoensaio (RIA) nos dias 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, e 31 após a injeçäo da droga. Com base nesses dados, foram calculadas a constante do índice de eliminaçäo (K=0,12445 d*-1), a meia vida de eliminaçäo (t1/2=5,57d), a constante do índice de absorçäo (Kabs= 1,5050d*-1), a meia-vida de absorçäo (t1/2abs= 0,46 d) e o volume de distribuiçäo (Vd=5.087 I). Os resultados foram comparados com outros näo obtidos pelo RIA e foram discutidos a partir de um ponto de vista clínico-terapêutico

Anticoncepcional injetável: modificaçöes nucleares após o uso / Injectable contraceptive: nuclear modifications after use

Foi estudada a açäo contraceptiva hormonal injetável do acetato de medroxiprogesterona-ciprionato de estradiol (MPACE) em órgäos genitais de ratas. As ratas foram divividas em 2 grupos: A e B, respectivamente castradas e näo castradas e, de acordo com o número de doses, subdivididas em 6 subgrupos: A0, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 e B0, B1, B2, B3, B4 e B5. Foram feitos estudos cariométricos dos núcleos do epitélio de revestimento da túnica mucosa uterina, das glândulas endometriais, miométrio e do epitélio da ectocérvix e da vagina. De cada subgrupo foram selecionadas três ratas e foram analisadas três lâminas para cada uma, em um total de nove observaçöes para cada subgrupo. Foram medidos 20 núcleos em cada lâmina, perfazendo um total de 60 núcleos, quando se tratava de epitélio de revestimento do endométrio, das glândulas endometriais e do miométrio, e um total de 120 núcleos nos casos de epitélio do exocérvix e da vagina, por se tratarem os mesmos de epitélios estratificados. Foram medidos um total de 15.120 núcleos e os resultados submetidos a tratamento estatístico. Observou-se aumento de volume nuclear quase duplicado das ratas na fase estro em relaçäo às castradas-controles. Por outro lado, a maior significância do efeito do MPACE foi encontrada em relaçäo às células do epitélio da túnica mucosa uterina, glândulas endometriais e miométrio. A açäo MPACE nas células da exocérvix e vagina näo foi significante. A análise estatística dos resultados demonstrou que com a associaçäo empregada neste trabalho houve predominância da açäo dos efeitos da fraçäo estrogênica, com aumento do volume nuclear; porém essa açäo foi contrabalançada pela fraçäo progestagênica, pois foram raras as mitoses

Antifertility activity of a medicinal plant of the genus Andrografis wall (family Acanthaceae). Part II.

Six weeks old male and female mice belonging to Wister strain were put on diets supplemented to the extent of 0.75% by the powdered stem of A. peniculata Nees for one, two, three and four weeks and the effect on fertility and gestational period was observed. Significant reduction in fertility was observed after three and four weeks of feeding in the group containing the treated males and the untreated females. In the same group the gestation period was also prolonged after four weeks of feeding. There was virtually no change in fertility and gestational period in the treated females and the untreated males during any stage of the experiment.