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

Abstract

Hormone assay studies have been conducted in 5 women receiving long-term oral contraceptive therapy with progestogen-estrogen mixtures and in 1 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 2 women the pattern of urinary steroid in the 1st cycle after treatment was atypical.