title: Combined oral contraceptives in women with menstrual migraine without aura.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of two regimens (21 active pills + 7 placebo pills vs. 24 active pills + 4 placebo pills) of combined oral contraception (COC), both containing 20 μg of ethinyl E(2) and 3 mg of drospirenone, in improving the severity of pure menstrual migraine without aura.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective randomized study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients attending the gynecology department of the University of Siena for consultation regarding an appropriate contraception.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women ages 20 to 35 years (n = 60) suffering from pure menstrual migraine without aura.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three months of contraceptive use (ethinyl E(2) 20 μg/drospirenone 3 mg) in two different regimens: group A received 21 active + 7 placebo pills whereas group B received 24 active + 4 placebo pills.
  
  
  METHODS
  Monthly evaluation of the duration and severity of patients' daily headache attacks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although both study groups demonstrated significant reduction in the intensity and duration of menstrual migraine, patients in group B (24/4 COC) reported a significant reduction in the intensity and a shorter duration of their menstrual migraine, compared with group A (21/7 COC).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 24/4 COC regimen is recommended as the preferred treatment for patients suffering from pure menstrual migraine without aura.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. deleo@unisi.it
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Leo
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Scolaro
authors.forename: Maria Concetta
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Musacchio
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Sabatino
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morgante
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cianci
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008598:Menstruation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D020326:Migraine without Aura / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined