The use of norethindrone (2 Mg.) with mestranol (0.1 Mg.) in fertility control; a preliminary report.

Norethindrone 2 mg. with mestranol 0.1 mg. (Ortho-Novum 2 mg.) was taken in cyclic fashion for fertility control by 62 private patients through 312 cycles. Each patient was interviewed every month during the trial period. No pregnancies occurred. The most common side effects noted were breakthrough bleeding, headache, fatigue and tension, nausea and depression. Five patients left the study because of depression and one because of nausea. It is suggested that the use of norethindrone 2 mg. with mestranol 0.1 mg. be reserved for the following situations: (1) those patients who have used other methods without success and in whom a further pregnancy would, in the opinion of the family physician, create hardship; (2) those patients in whom fear of pregnancy is part of the cause of marital problems; and (3) those patients in whom the product is primarily used for the treatment of menstrual disorders.