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Desogestrel: using a selective progestogen in a combined oral contraceptive

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Advances in Contraception

Abstract

Desogestrel is the most selective progestogen used in oral contraceptives (OCs). The clinical characteristics of the monophasic combined OC containing 150 μg desogestrel and 30 μg EE per tablet (Marvelon) are in accordance with the strong progestogenic and minimal androgenic effects of desogestrel: a very high contraceptive efficacy is combined with minimal and, in the case of lipid metabolism, even potentially positive effects on metabolic parameters.

Through increasing the plasma levels of sex hormone binding globulin, and thereby decreasing the plasma levels of free testosterone, the desogestrel-containing OC also has substantial beneficial effects on acne.

Resumé

Le désogestrel est la progestérone sélective la plus utilisée dans les contraceptifs oraux. Les caractéristiques cliniques de ce contraceptif combiné monophasique contenant 150 μg de désogestrel et 30 μg EE par comprimé (Marvelon) sont conformes aux effets progestatifs puissants et androgènes minimes du désogestrel: sa haute efficacité contraceptive se combine avec des effets sur les paramètres métaboliques qui sont minimes, et même potentiellement positifs dans le cas du métabolisme des lipides.

En augmentant les niveaux plasmatiques de la globuline liant les hormones sexuelles, et en diminuant de ce fait les niveaux plasmatiques de la testostérone libre, les contraceptifs oraux contenant du désogestrel ont un effet bénéfique considérable sur l'acné.

Resumen

El desogestrel es la progesterona más selectiva empleada en los anticonceptivos orales. Las características clínicas de este anticonceptivo combinado monofásico que contiene 150 μg de desogestrel y 30 μg EE por comprimido (Marvelon) están de acuerdo con los efectos progestágenos potentes y andrógenos mínimos del desogestrel: su alta eficacia anticonceptiva se combina con efectos minimos sobre los parámetros metabólicos, y hasta potencialmente positivos en el caso del metabolismo de los lípidos.

Al aumentar los niveles plasmáticos de la globulina que enlaza las hormonas sexuales, y disminuyendo así los niveles plasmáticos de la testosterona libre, los anticonceptivos orales que contienen desogestrel tienen un considerable efecto benéfico sobre el acné.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Services Department, Organon International BV, PO Box 20, 5340 BH, Oss, The Netherlands

    M. op ten Berg

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This paper is based on a presentation given at the Seventh International Meeting of the Society for the Advancement of Contraception, which was held in Singapore on 4–11 November, 1990.

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op ten Berg, M. Desogestrel: using a selective progestogen in a combined oral contraceptive. Adv Contracept 7, 241–250 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01849414

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