Klipping C, Duijkers I, Mawet M, et al. - Researchers conducted a randomized, open-label, controlled, three-arm, parallel study with the aim to determine how a new combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing estetrol (E4) and drospirenone (DRSP) affects endocrine and metabolic parameters. They randomized 38 healthy individuals to receive E4 15 mg/DRSP 3 mg (E4/DRSP), 31 to receive ethinylestradiol (EE) 30 µg/ levonorgestrel (LNG) 150 µg, and 31 to receive EE 20 µg/ DRSP 3 mg for 6 treatment cycles. For endocrine parameters, liver proteins, lipid profile, and carbohydrate metabolism, they determined median percentage change from baseline to cycle 3 and to cycle 6. Overall findings suggest limited effects of E4/DRSP treatment on endocrine and metabolic parameters. Relative to EE-containing products, less pronounced effects on gonadotropins, cortisol, CBG, angiotensinogen, SHBG and triglycerides were observed.