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Norgestimate, a new progestin for combined estrogen-progestin oral contraceptives (OCs), may offer good contraceptive function with fewer undesirable side-effects than older OC formulations. Both monophasic and triphasic varieties appear to have equally good or superior effectiveness compared with older progestins when taken as directed. As with all OCs, breakthrough bleeding, spotting, and cessation of menstruation may occur, but tends to improve with continued use. Unlike older progestins, norgestimate has little or no effect on weight gain, has no effect on or improves acne, and has no effect on blood pressure. Both monophasic and triphasic versions have little effect or a beneficial effect on cholesterol metabolism. The monophasic formulation has only small effects on glucose metabolism, and adverse effects with the triphasic formulation diminish over time.

Oral contraceptives containing desogestrel appear to be safe and effective. Desogestrel is a selective progestin designed to have little androgenic activity. Androgenic side effects of oral contraceptives include weight gain and acne. Outside the US, the most commonly used oral contraceptives contain 150 micrograms of desogestrel and 30 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol. Among 42,640 European women who used desogestrel-based contraceptives, six pregnancies occurred. Women who take oral contraceptives still have varying degrees of ovarian activity, and follicular cysts develop occasionally. Thus, ovarian suppression is another important measure of effectiveness in oral contraceptives. In a test of seven oral contraceptives, the one containing desogestrel showed high ovarian suppression.