Estradiol Cypionate/Medroxyprogesterone Acetate

Hormonal contraceptives are the most effective method for birth control, though they may have some default or complications. This research aimed to comparison of the efficacy and satisfaction of Cyclofem with oral contraceptives (OCs) among females. A descriptive-comparative method was conducted on 80 women who were selected through cluster sampling during November 2011-December 2012. The selected subjects start using OCs or Cyclofem for the 1(st) time in their life. They evaluated in 2 times frames, at the beginning of the study and then 3 and 6 months after the contraceptive precautions. The data were collected by questionnaire. The data were analysed using parametric and nonparametric test in SPSS 16 software. The reasons for discontinuation of the methods were varied, in which 50% of the sample group were Cyclofem users who discontinued because of menstrual changes and the desire to use other methods, and 50% were the OC users whose reason was medical problems, and absent-mindedness was the last reason for 35.7% of the cases. The efficacy of the both (OCs and Cyclofem) was high and only one unwanted pregnancy occurred at the end of the 6(th) month among OC users. There was no significant difference in term of satisfaction of two groups at the end of 3-6 months (PV = 0.433). The results indicated that Cyclofem can be well used by those women who desire for an easy and effective method which is not disturbing the sexual activity and does not also need to be used daily, but the users should be consulted before using the method.

Cyclofem is a combined injectable contraceptive, containing medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and estradiol cypionate. The objective was to characterize the steady-state pharmacokinetics (PK) using tandem liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and compare these data to a previous PK study of this formulation in US women.

Fifteen ovulatory, surgically sterile women received three Cyclofem injections, once every 28 days, with serum PK measurements on 23 separate days. Trough levels of estradiol and MPA were obtained on Days 1, 29 and 57, prior to each of the three injections. Steady-state concentrations of MPA and estradiol were assessed during the third treatment month on Days 58, 60, 62, 64, 67, 69, 71, 75, 78 and 85. MPA and serum progesterone levels were measured during the follow-up phase to assess MPA clearance (Days 92, 99, 106, 113, 120, 127, 134 and 141) and return of ovulation (Days 103, 106, 131 and 134).

In the steady state, mean serum MPA concentrations peaked at 1.31 ng/mL at 4.1 days. Mean estradiol levels peaked at 254 pg/mL by 3.3 days. Ovulation was suppressed for at least 77 days post third injection in all but one woman.

Once monthly injections of Cyclofem resulted in contraceptive levels of MPA without accumulation of hormones, consistent with a previous US study.