ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN LO pill ring
ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN® LO is a combination OC comprised of 25 mcg ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate, a unique progestin. Norgestimate is highly selective and efficient, allowing for high progestational activity with low androgenic activity often associated with acne/oily skin, hirsutism, and weight gain.1,2   The combination of a low dose of norgestimate and a lower level of estrogen allows for highly effective contraception and favorable cycle control. ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN® LO minimizes unexpected bleeding and provides predictable periods, regardless of weight, while offering an excellent tolerability profile.1,6

Excellent bleeding profile: ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN® LO has proven low rates of breakthrough bleeding and spotting.3 In a clinical study, breakthrough bleeding and spotting was the #1 complaint and reason for oral contraception discontinuation.4 And, in another report, more than 30% of calls to the office were about breakthrough bleeding and spotting.5 ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN® LO may make a difference when it comes to this potentially embarrassing problem.

In a clinical trial, the most frequently reported adverse events in the ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN® LO treatment group were headache, upper respiratory tract infection, nausea, abdominal pain, breast pain, dysmenorrhea, and sinusitis. The discontinuation rate due to adverse events was 4%.

Click here to see data on the bleeding profile of ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN® LO.
    References:
  1. Phillips A, Hahn DW, McGuire JL. Preclinical evaluation of norgestimate, a progestin with minimal androgenic activity. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1992;167:1191-1196.
  2. Dickey RP. Managing Contraceptive Pill Patients. 12th ed. New Orleans, La: Emis Medical Publishers; 2004.
  3. Hampton RM, Short M, Bieber E, et al. Comparison of a novel norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol oral contraceptive (Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo) with the oral contraceptive Loestrin Fe 1/20. Contraception. 2001;63:289-295.
  4. Rosenberg MJ, Waugh MS. Oral contraceptive discontinuation: a prospective evaluation of frequency and reasons. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1998;179:577-582.
  5. Rosenberg MJ, Waugh MS, Burnhill MS. Compliance, counseling and satisfaction with oral contraceptives: a prospective evaluation. Fam Plann Perspect. 1998;30(2):89-92, 104.
  6. Hampton RM, Zhang HF, Barnowski C, Wan GJ. Bleeding patterns with mono and triphasic low-dose ethinyl estradiol combined oral contraceptives. Poster presented at: 55th Annual Meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; May 5-9, 2007; San Diego, CA.