BACKGROUND Nomegestrol acetate/17β-estradiol (NOMAC/E(2)) is a new monophasic oral contraceptive combining NOMAC (2.5 mg), a highly selective progesterone-derived progestogen, with E(2) (1.5 mg), which is structurally identical to endogenous estrogen. The objective of this study was to compare the effects on ovarian activity of two different NOMAC/E(2) regimens. METHODS This was a double-blind, randomized study. Healthy, premenopausal women (aged 18-38 years, previous menstrual cycle length 28 ± 7 days) were randomized by computer-generated code to once-daily NOMAC/E(2) for three consecutive 28-day cycles: either 24 days with a 4-day placebo interval (n = 40) or 21 days with a 7-day placebo interval (n = 37) per cycle. Follicular growth (primary outcome measure), plasma hormone profiles and bleeding patterns were assessed. RESULTS There was no evidence of ovulation during treatment with either NOMAC/E(2) regimen. The largest follicle diameter was significantly smaller in the 24-day group than in the 21-day group [mean (SD) mm in cycle 2: 9.0 (3.0) versus 11.3 (5.3) (P = 0.02); in cycle 3: 9.2 (3.0) versus 11.5 (6.0) (P = 0.04)]. Mean FSH plasma levels were significantly lower in the 24-day versus the 21-day group on Day 24 of cycles 1 and 2. Withdrawal bleeding duration was significantly shorter in the 24-day than in the 21-day group [mean (SD) days after cycle 1: 3.5 (1.3) versus 5.0 (2.6) (P = 0.002); after cycle 2: 3.9 (1.6) versus 4.8 (1.7) (P = 0.03)]. CONCLUSIONS The 24-day NOMAC/E(2) regimen was associated with greater inhibition of follicular growth and shorter duration of withdrawal bleeding than the 21-day regimen, suggesting the shorter pill-free interval results in a greater margin of contraceptive efficacy and tolerability, and fewer withdrawal symptoms.

Abstract. Thirty-four members of a single family were studied and 9 of them were found to be suffering from hyperthyroidism associated wiht diffuse goitre. Exophthalmos was absent and transmission seemed to be independent of HLA type. Four of the 9 were studied prior to treatment but in all cases serum immunoglobulin levels were normal, antithyroglobulin and antimicrosomal antibodies absent, thyroid stimulating antibodies negative and the lymphocyte transformation responses to mitogens not different from those of controls. The results of testing the euthyroid family members were similarly negative, except in the case of a woman with type I diabetes mellitus who showed a low titre of antimicrosomal antibody. Seven of the patients underwent subtotal thyroidectomy. Lymphocytic infiltration of the excised portion was rarely present. Four of the glands were subjected to immunofluorescent and electron microscopy but neither immunosecreting cells nor immune complex deposits were found. These results point to the existence of a non-autoimmune form of goitrous hyperthyroidism, different from Graves' disease.

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Use of oral contraceptives (OC) that combine a progestogen with synthetic ethinyl estradiol (EE) is associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolism. NOMAC/E2 is a new monophasic OC that combines nomegestrol acetate (NOMAC), a highly selective progestogen, with 17β-estradiol (E2). The study objective was to compare the effects on markers of haemostasis of NOMAC/E2 (2.5 mg/1.5 mg) versus the second-generation OC, levonorgestrel (LNG)/EE (100 μg/20 μg). Healthy women (age 18-38 years) received once-daily treatment for three consecutive 28-day cycles in a double-blind, randomised study: either NOMAC/E2 for 24 days with a four-day placebo interval (n=45) or LNG/EE for 21 days with a seven-day placebo interval (n=45) per cycle. Mean changes from baseline to end-of-treatment in coagulation markers, including prothrombin fragment 1+2 (primary endpoint), fibrinolysis markers and platelet functions were assessed. Mean prothrombin fragment 1+2 levels (primary endpoint) did not increase with NOMAC/E2 compared with LNG/EE ( -0.02 vs. +0.08 nM, p<0.01). Other significant differences between NOMAC/E2 and LNG/EE were mean changes in antithrombin (+0.3% vs. -4.4%, p<0.001), activated protein C resistance - normalised ratio (+0.20 vs. +0.46, p<0.01), D-dimer ( -53 vs. +43 ng/ml, p<0.001), plasminogen (+6% vs. +30%, p<0.0001) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 ( -3.1 vs. -8.0 ng/ml, p<0.001). There was no effect of either treatment on platelet aggregation. The NOMAC/E2 pill regimen has fewer adverse effects on blood biological coagulation and fibrinolysis markers than LNG/EE. This suggests that NOMAC/E2 could have a more favourable venous thromboembolism risk profile than LNG/EE; further epidemiological data are required to confirm this.

The dose of 2.5 mg NOMAC was confirmed to be optimal to inhibit both ovulation and follicular maturation. The antigonadotropic effect of 2.5 mg NOMAC was reinforced when combined with 1.5 mg E(2).