Unscheduled Bleeding and Spotting
Females using levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP may experience unscheduled (breakthrough or intracyclic) bleeding and spotting, especially during the first 3 months of use. Bleeding irregularities may resolve over time or by changing to a different contraceptive product. If bleeding persists or occurs after previously regular cycles, evaluate for causes such as pregnancy or malignancy.
When prescribing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP, the occurrence of fewer planned menses (4 per year instead of 13 per year) should be weighed against the occurrence of increased unscheduled bleeding and/or spotting. The clinical trial that evaluated the efficacy of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP also assessed unscheduled bleeding. The participants in this 12-month clinical trial (N=2,185) completed the equivalent of over 20,000 28-day cycles of exposure and were composed primarily of women who had used OCs previously (89%), as opposed to new users (11%). A total of 209 subjects (9.6%) discontinued levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP at least in part, due to bleeding and/or spotting.
Scheduled (withdrawal) bleeding and/or spotting remained fairly constant over time, with an average of 2-3 days of bleeding and/or spotting per each 91-day cycle. Unscheduled bleeding and unscheduled spotting decreased over successive 91-day cycles. Table 2 below presents the number of days with unscheduled bleeding in treatment cycles 1 and 4. Table 3 presents the number of days with unscheduled spotting in treatment cycles 1 and 4.
Table 2: Total Number of Days with Unscheduled Bleeding| 91-Day Treatment Cycle | Days per 84-Day Interval | Days per 28-Day Interval |
| Q1 | Median | Q3 | Mean | Mean |
| 1st | 0 | 5 | 11 | 7.5 | 2.5 |
| 4th | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3.5 | 1.2 |
Q1=Quartile 1: 25% of women had this number of days of unscheduled bleeding
Median: 50% of women had ≤ this number of days of unscheduled bleeding
Q3=Quartile 3: 75% of women had ≤ this number of days of unscheduled bleeding
Table 3: Total Number of Days with Unscheduled Spotting| 91-Day Treatment Cycle | Days per 84-Day Interval | Days per 28-Day Interval |
| Q1 | Median | Q3 | Mean | Mean |
| 1st | 3 | 10 | 19 | 14.0 | 4.7 |
| 4th | 0 | 3 | 10 | 6.5 | 2.2 |
Q1=Quartile 1: 25% of women had ≤ this number of days of unscheduled spotting
Median: 50% of women had ≤ this number of days of unscheduled spotting
Q3=Quartile 3: 75% of women had ≤ this number of days of unscheduled spotting
Figure 2 shows the percentage of Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets, USP and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets, USP subjects participating in the primary clinical trial with ≥7 days or ≥20 days of unscheduled bleeding and/or spotting, or just unscheduled bleeding, during each 91-day treatment cycle.
Figure 2: Percent of Women Taking levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP who Reported Unscheduled Bleeding and/or Spotting (Based on Daily Diaries)
Figure 1 (Loseasonique Levonorgestrel Ethinyl Estradiol And 2)
If unscheduled spotting or bleeding occurs, instruct the patient to continue on the same regimen. If the bleeding is persistent or prolonged, advise the patient to consult her healthcare provider.
Amenorrhea and Oligomenorrhea
Females who use levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP may experience absence of scheduled (withdrawal) bleeding, even if they are not pregnant.
If scheduled bleeding does not occur, consider the possibility of pregnancy.
After discontinuation of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP, amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea may occur, especially if these conditions were pre-existent.