Bleeding patterns and menstrual-related symptoms with the continuous use of a contraceptive combination of ethinylestradiol and drospirenone: a randomized study.
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.


METHODS
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.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jundiaí School of Medicine, Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil. rogeriobonassi@terra.com.br
Rogério Bonassi
RB
Machado
Nilson Roberto
NR
de Melo
Hugo
H
Maia
D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000736:Androstenes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008796:Metrorrhagia / Q000139:chemically induced; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016387:Women's Health
D000736:Androstenes; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; C035144:drospirenone