Abstract: A method of female contraception involves administering a combination of estrogen and progestin continuously for more than a year in which the daily amounts of estrogen and progestin are equivalent to about 5-35 mcg of ethinyl estradiol and about 0.025 to 10 mg of norethindrone acetate, respectively. The advantages include lack of menstrual bleeding, less patient anemia, less total exposure to medication when compared to a 35 microgram (low dose) containing oral contraceptive, reduced risk of endometrial cancer, higher compliance rates and more lifestyle convenience for patients who desire less uterine bleeding each year or longer.

Abstract: A method for increasing the hematocrit of a normal mammal using erythropoietin (EPO) is provided. The method comprises the steps of administering to the mammal a hematocrit increasing effective amount of EPO, in a pharmaceutically acceptable form. Additionally administered is an effective amount of iron, in a pharmaceutically acceptable form, sufficient to increase the serum iron content of the mammal to an erythropoiesis supportable level. The method is useful for increasing the amount of blood that can be donated for transfusion purposes, in particular autologous transfusion.