Randomised trial, 2004
Which low-dose birth control pill has better cycle control and fewer side effects?
Both pills equally reduced period pain and PMS. One type (with desogestrel) had more stable bleeding patterns and less acne than the other (with levonorgestrel). Both were well tolerated overall.
What they did
Over 500 women in Germany and the Netherlands took one of two low-dose birth control pills for 6 months. Researchers tracked bleeding patterns, period pain, PMS, and acne. Most participants (78% and 75%) completed the full study.
What they found
The pill with levonorgestrel caused more irregular bleeding (0.18 vs 0.13 episodes per cycle) and more bleeding-spotting days (0.63 vs 0.48 days per cycle). More women stopped the levonorgestrel pill due to bleeding (13 vs 3). Both pills equally reduced painful periods and PMS. The desogestrel pill caused fewer acne lesions.
What it means for you
If you use low-dose birth control and want regular periods and clearer skin, desogestrel may work better than levonorgestrel. Both reduce period pain and PMS equally. This comes from a large study in Europe, though results may differ in other populations.
500+
women studied
6
months of treatment
13 vs 3
women who stopped due to bleeding
About the study
- Original title
- Cycle control, quality of life and acne with two low-dose oral contraceptives containing 20 microg ethinylestradiol
- Authors
- Winkler UH, Ferguson H, Mulders JA
- Journal
- Contraception
- Year
- 2004
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 500
- What was tested
- Birth control pills with desogestrel or levonorgestrel, both at 20 micrograms ethinylestradiol
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2003.12.017
Topics
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