title: Effect of a continuous regimen of contraceptive combination of ethinylestradiol and drospirenone on lipid, carbohydrate and coagulation profiles.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a contraceptive pill containing ethinylestradiol (30 mcg) and drospirenone (3 mg) in a continuous regimen on lipid, carbohydrate and coagulation parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  This open, prospective, randomized study included 78 participants (mean age 27.8 years) who were randomized into two groups to use the pill continuously for 168 days or for six 28-day cycles with a 7-day hormone-free interval between cycles. Markers of lipid, carbohydrate and coagulation profiles were measured prior to initiation and after the 6 months of pill use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant differences were found between the two contraceptive regimens with respect to carbohydrate or lipid profiles or in the parameters related to coagulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The contraceptive combination of ethinylestradiol and drospirenone used in a continuous regimen was associated with metabolic alterations similar to those found during the traditional cyclic regimen of oral contraceptive use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jundiaí School of Medicine, 13202-550 Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil. rogeriobonassi@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Rogério Bonassi
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: Nilson Roberto
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: de Melo
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maia
authors.forename: Achilles Machado
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cruz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000736:Androstenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D000736:Androstenes; D001786:Blood Glucose; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; C035144:drospirenone