The objective of this three-arm study is to evaluate the effect of a flexible extended regimen of an EE+DRSP containing OC on bleeding pattern and to investigate the compliance with daily pill intake when the investigational product is provided in a blister package or a compliance aiding dispenser with a pill reminder function. The third treatment arm will be a reference comparator arm of a standard 24+4 regimen of the identical hormone combination.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy female volunteers between 18 and 35 years of age (smokers up to 30 years, inclusive) who request contraceptive protection

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy or lactation (less than 3 months since delivery, abortion, or lactation before start of treatment)
• Body mass index (BMI) >/= 30.0 kg/m2
• Presence or a history of venous or arterial thrombotic/thromboembolic events
• Repeated measurements of systolic blood pressure > 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg
• Presence or history of liver tumors (benign or malignant), severe hepatic disease, jaundice and/or pruritus related to cholestasis, cholestatic jaundice associated with pregnancy or previous combined oral contraceptive (COC) use
• Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and/or diabetes mellitus with vascular involvement
• Severe dyslipoproteinemia
• Malignant or premalignant disease
• Uncontrolled thyroid disorder
• Chronic inflammatory bowel disease