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Query: UMLS:C1291077 (bloating)
 1,674 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Estrogen content represents a tradeoff between cycle control and side effects, but few direct comparisons of 20 and 30/35 mcg preparations are available. To address this issue, researchers conducted a randomized, open-label multicenter clinical trial comparing Alesse (20 mcg ethinyl estradiol [EE]), Mircette (20 mcg EE), and Ortho Tri-Cyclen (35 mcg EE) among 463 oral contraceptive starters or switchers. Bloating, breast tenderness, and nausea were approximately 50% more common in women using 35 mcg EE as in those using 20 mcg EE preparations. Cycle control was similar in all products, although during the first two cycles among starters, users of Mircette and Ortho Tri-Cyclen (Tri-Cyclen) exhibited better cycle control than Alesse users. Discontinuation and pregnancy rates were not significantly higher in 35 mcg EE users.
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PMID:Efficacy, cycle control, and side effects of low- and lower-dose oral contraceptives: a randomized trial of 20 micrograms and 35 micrograms estrogen preparations. 1071 66

All medications have side effects in certain patients; none is 100% "safe" and the physicain must determine the benefit-to-risk ratio of each contraceptive method for a particular patient. 81% of white, nonCatholic women aged 20-24 who are college graduates use oral contraceptives, an extraordinary acceptance level for a method not even available in 1960. The various preparations available in the U.S, amount of estrogen and progestogen in each, and side effects are then surveyed. Estrogen irritates the gastric mucosa and diminishes rate of sodium excretion by the kidneys; this causes the nausea, edema, general bloating, tension, and headaches which most commonly cause women to discontinue the medication. The patient with full breasts who menstruates normally should not be overloaded with estrogen while a high-estrogen compound might benefit the woman with small breasts and scanty menses. Estrogens are known stimulants for the growth of uterine leiomyomas; if such lesions are present an antiestrogenic progestogen is indicated. High estrogen pills are more likely to stimulate breast growth and increase discomfort from fibrocyctic disease while a progestin-dominant combination will reduce this discomfort. The "19-nor" progestins are essentailly variants of testosterone and may produce hirsutism, alopecia, acne, hypomenorrhea, or even amenorrhea. T hey also may increase appetite and cause excessive weight gain. The total effect is complicated by such factors as the particular progestin used. The 19-norsteroid compounds are partly metabolized to estrogen and increase the estrogenic effect while norgestrel produces antiestrogenic activity. Newer marketing methods have tried to simplify administration by inserting 7 iron tablets or 7 placebos so the user takes a pill every day for 28 days. For patients who have noted side effects during the 7-day interval they are not taking the pill (undoubtedly related to temporary estrogen insufficiency) .02 mg ethinyl estradiol may be used. The sequential method more closely simulates the normal menstrual cycle and can be used to advantage in women who suffer prolonged anovulation after cessaton of combination therapy and in women past 35 in whom the increased risk of pregnancy is offset by declining fertility potential. Both serious and minor adverse reactions to various forms of therapy are detailed. These include cutaneous, nervous system, metabloic, and endocrine system changes.
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PMID:Present status of oral contraceptives: 1. effectiveness; basis for selection; side effects; metabolic changes. 1230 85