Bleeding patterns and menstrual-related symptoms with the continuous use of a contraceptive combination of ethinylestradiol and drospirenone: a randomized study
Received 9 June 2009; received in revised form 9 September 2009; accepted 27 October 2009. published online 23 November 2009.
Abstract
Background
The objective of this study was to compare bleeding patterns of women using a contraceptive combination of 30 mcg ethinylestradiol (EE) and 3 mg drospirenone (DRSP) continuously or cyclically. Menstrual-related symptoms were also evaluated.
Study Design
This open, prospective, randomized study evaluated 78 women using the EE/DRSP combination continuously for 168 days or for six 28-day cycles, each followed by a 7-day hormone-free interval. A diary with pre-established scales was used to assess the frequency and intensity of bleeding and menstrual-related symptoms.
Results
Amenorrhea increased with continuous use; 62.2% of women with continuous use were amenorrheic at the end of treatment (95% CI: 46.6–77.8%). Dysmenorrhea, headache, acne, nausea, edema and increased appetite improved significantly in the continuous-use group, and mastalgia and edema in the cyclic-use group (p<.05). Six subjects in the continuous-use group (15.4%) and three in the cyclic-use group (7.7%) discontinued due to adverse events.
Conclusions
Continuous use was associated with amenorrhea and fewer menstrual-related symptoms compared to cyclic use.
aDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jundiaí School of Medicine, 13202-550 Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil
bDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, 05403-900 São Paulo, Brazil
cCentro de Pesquisa e Assistência em Reprodução Humana (CEPARH), 44015-340 Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Corresponding author. Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí, 12202-550 Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil. Tel.: +55 11 4521 6466; fax: +55 11 4521 6040.
ABSTRACT