Effect of an oral contraceptive containing 30 microg ethinylestradiol plus 3 mg drospirenone on body composition of young women affected by premenstrual syndrome with symptoms of water retention.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to evaluate body weight and composition during oral contraception with 30 microg ethinylestradiol plus 3 mg drospirenone (30EE+DRSP) in women affected by premenstrual syndrome (PMS) with somatic symptoms related to water retention.


METHODS
This prospective study was performed using multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis in 18 normally cycling PMS patients (mean age, 28.8 years) evaluated at baseline, during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and after 3 and 6 cycles of 30EE+DRSP. Total body water (TBW), intracellular water (ICW), extracellular water (ECW), fat mass and fat-free mass were evaluated. Body weight, waist-to-hip ratio and blood pressure were also determined at each visit. Basal values were compared with those measured in 31 healthy females without PMS (controls).


RESULTS
PMS patients have higher levels of TBW and ICW than controls. After 6 months of 30EE+DRSP, TBW and ECW were significantly lower than before treatment. No significant variations in ICW or in the other parameters were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
In women with PMS, 30EE+DRSP reduces the concentrations in TBW and ECW. This effect is likely due to the antimineralocorticoid activity of DRSP. Whether these changes may account for the improvement of premenstrual fluid-related symptoms reported with this formulation is discussed.
Fruzzetti
Franca
F
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56100 Pisa, Italy. ffruzzi@tin.it
Lazzarini
Veronica
V
Ricci
Cabiria
C
Quirici
Barbara
B
Gambacciani
Marco
M
Paoletti
Anna Maria
AM
Genazzani
Andrea Riccardo
AR
D000328:Adult; D000736:Androstenes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001825:Body Fluid Compartments / Q000187:drug effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000736:Androstenes; D004967:Estrogens; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; C035144:drospirenone