Prevention of unwanted pregnancies among adolescent girls in Bulgaria –
our experience with low-dose oral contraceptive Novynette
S. Tanchev (1), B. Shentov (2)
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (1), Department of Paediatrics
(2), Medical University, Pleven, Bulgaria
Introduction: The rate of unplanned and unprotected sexual contacts
among adolescents in Bulgaria is high, so the usage of low-dose oral
contraceptives is an option for prevention of unwanted pregnancies.
Aim and methods: The aim of the study was to assess efficacy, cycle
control and tolerability of a low-dose oral contraceptive Novynnete (Gedeon
Richter Ltd, Hungary) containing 20 micrograms ethinylestradiol and 150
micrograms desogestrel. Twenty-nine sexually active girls aged 15 – 18 years
who have not given birth were involved in the study. The duration of the
investigation was 4 – 9 months (203 cycles altogether).
Results: No one pregnancy occurred during the study, Pearl index=0.
The ovulation was restored within three months after discontinuing the pills.
The side effects were rare, mild and tended to decrease with prolonging the
period of administration. The incidence of breakthrough bleeding in 5 (17.2%)
and spotting in 3 (10.3%) of the girls was observed.
Conclusion: The low-dose contraceptive Novynnete is highly effective,
with good cycle control, well tolerated and reasonable for using under medical
supervision in adolescent girls.
