title: A new oral contraceptive regimen for endometriosis management: preliminary experience with 24/4-day drospirenone/ethinylestradiol 3 mg/20 mcg.
abstract: We report our preliminary experience with the use of a low-dose oral contraceptive containing Drospirenone/Ethinylestradiol 3 mg/20 mcg, both in cyclic and continuous regimen for endometriosis management. A total of 93 women were retrospectively included: 52 were treated by medical therapy (exclusive combined oral contraceptives (COC)-users), while 41 were submitted to surgery followed by postoperative therapy (postoperative COC-users). A clinical examination was performed at baseline and at 6-months follow-up. Presence and intensity of endometriosis-related symptoms were assessed by a visual analogue scale. Presence and dimension of endometriotic lesions were evaluated by transvaginal ultrasonography. Adverse effects and tolerability were analysed. In exclusive COC-users, significant reductions in dysmenorrhoea and dyspareunia scores and in endometrioma mean diameter were observed at follow-up. In postoperative COC-users, anatomical and symptom recurrence rates at follow-up were 4.9% and 17%, respectively. The most frequent adverse effects were spotting and headache. No difference between cyclic and continuous regimen in terms of symptom relief, lesion progression and tolerability was observed. From our preliminary experience, Drospirenone/Ethinylestradiol 3 mg/20 mcg seems to be promising in endometriosis management.
authors: The Minimally Invasive Gynaecological Surgery Unit, Gynaecology Department, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Mohamed
authors: M
authors: Mabrouk
authors: Serena
authors: S
authors: Solfrini
authors: Clarissa
authors: C
authors: Frascà
authors: Simona
authors: S
authors: Del Forno
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Montanari
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Ferrini
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Paradisi
authors: Renato
authors: R
authors: Seracchioli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000736:Androstenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000736:Androstenes; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; C035144:drospirenone