title: Drospirenone/ethinylestradiol: a review on efficacy and noncontraceptive benefits.
abstract: Considerable advances have been made in the field of combined oral contraceptives since their introduction 50 years ago. This ongoing evolution has been focused on reducing the estrogen dose and synthesizing new progestogens. A recently launched combination of ethinylestradiol 20 µg and drospirenone 3 mg demonstrates the advantages of a lower estrogen dose with the antimineralocorticoid activity of drospirenone that is responsible for the drug's significant antiandrogenic and antimineralocorticoid effects, reflected clinically in lower rates of adverse events including less fluid retention. In addition to the drug's contraceptive efficacy, its effects on the skin and other classic noncontraceptive benefits, the ethinylestradiol 20 µg and drospirenone 3 mg combination has demonstrated highly satisfactory results in women with premenstrual dysphoric syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Gynecological Endocrinology, Menopause & Family Planning Clinic, Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, ABC School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil. rogeriobonassi@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Rogério Bonassi
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: Luciano de Melo
authors.initials: Lde M
authors.lastname: Pompei
authors.forename: Arícia Galvão
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Giribela
authors.forename: Cassiana Galvão
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Giribela
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000736:Androstenes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000736:Androstenes; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; C035144:drospirenone