Bleeding pattern with drospirenone 3 mg+ethinyl estradiol 20 mcg 24/4 combined oral contraceptive compared with desogestrel 150 mcg+ethinyl estradiol 20 mcg 21/7 combined oral contraceptive.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The study was conducted to compare cycle control, bleeding pattern and efficacy of two low-dose combined oral contraceptives.

STUDY DESIGN:

Four hundred fifty-three women were randomized to receive a 24/4 regimen of drospirenone 3 mg/ethinyl estradiol 20 mcg (drsp 3 mg/EE 20 mcg; n=230) or a 21/7 regimen of desogestrel 150 mcg/EE 20 mcg (DSG 150 mcg/EE 20 mcg; n=223), and recorded bleeding daily over 7 treatment cycles.

RESULTS:

The duration [mean 4.7 (SD 1.5)-5.2 (SD 2.2) days in the drsp 3 mg/EE 20 mcg 24/4 group and 5.1 (SD 1.5)-5.4 (SD 2.1) days in the DSG 150 mcg/ EE 20 mcg group] and maximum intensity ("normal bleeding" for >50% of all subjects) of scheduled bleeding in Cycles 1-6 was comparable between treatment groups. The incidence of unscheduled bleeding during Cycles 2-6 was also similar between the two groups (drsp 3 mg/EE 20 mcg, 8.8-17.3%; DSG 150 mcg/ EE 20 mcg, 9.4-16.3%).

CONCLUSION:

Drsp 3 mg/EE 20 mcg 24/4 achieved an acceptable bleeding profile with reliable cycle control, comparable with an established formulation.

• Authors: Leena Anttila, Michael Kunz, Joachim Marr
• Journal: Contraception (Contraception) Vol. 80 Issue 5 Pg. 445-51 (Nov 2009) ISSN: 1879-0518 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19835718 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Androstenes
• Contraceptives, Oral, Combined
• drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol combination
• ethinyl estradiol-desogestrel combination
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• Desogestrel

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Androstenes (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Contraceptives, Oral, Combined (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Desogestrel (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Ethinyl Estradiol (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Female
• Humans
• Menstrual Cycle (drug effects)
• Menstruation Disturbances (chemically induced)
• Metrorrhagia (chemically induced)
• Patient Satisfaction (statistics & numerical data)
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult