Wright, Kristen PageJohnson, Julia V.2022-08-232022-08-232008-10-012013-02-07<p>Wright KP, Johnson JV. Evaluation of extended and continuous use oral contraceptives. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2008 Oct;4(5):905-11. doi: 10.2147/tcrm.s2143. PMID: 19209272; PMCID: PMC2621397. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S2143">Link to article on publisher's website</a></p>1176-6336 (Linking)10.2147/TCRM.S214319209272https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14038/42848<p>At the time of publication, Julia Johnson was not yet affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Medical School.</p>Oral contraceptives are classically given in a cyclic manner with 21 days of active pills followed by 7 days of placebo. In the past 4 years, new oral contraceptives have been introduced which either shorten the placebo time, lengthen the active pills (extended cycle), or provide active pills every day (continuous). These concepts are not new; extended and continuous pills were first studied in the 1960s and 1970s and have been provided in an off-label manner by gynecologists to treat menstrual disorders, such as menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea, and gynecologic disorders, such as endometriosis. Now that extended and continuous combined oral contraceptives are available for all patients, it is critical for providers to understand the physiology, dosing, side effects, and benefits of this form of oral contraceptive. This article reviews the history and the potential uses of the new continuous combined oral contraceptive.en-US© 2008 Dove Medical Press Limited. This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/Contraceptives, Oraloral contraceptivesadministrationdosageadverse effectsmenstrual disturbancesObstetrics and GynecologyWomen's HealthEvaluation of extended and continuous use oral contraceptivesJournal Articlehttps://escholarship.umassmed.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1061&context=obgyn_pp&unstamped=1https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/obgyn_pp/623664608obgyn_pp/62