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.

DESIGN:

Prospective randomized study.

SETTING:

Patients attending the gynecology department of the University of Siena for consultation regarding an appropriate contraception.

PATIENT(S):

Women ages 20 to 35 years (n = 60) suffering from pure menstrual migraine without aura.

INTERVENTION(S):

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.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S):

Monthly evaluation of the duration and severity of patients' daily headache attacks.

RESULT(S):

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).

CONCLUSION(S):

The 24/4 COC regimen is recommended as the preferred treatment for patients suffering from pure menstrual migraine without aura.

• Authors: Vincenzo De Leo, Valeria Scolaro, Maria Concetta Musacchio, Alessandra Di Sabatino, Giuseppe Morgante, Antonio Cianci
• Journal: Fertility and sterility (Fertil Steril) Vol. 96 Issue 4 Pg. 917-20 (Oct 2011) ISSN: 1556-5653 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21843889 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Contraceptives, Oral, Combined

Topics

• Adult
• Contraceptives, Oral, Combined (administration & dosage)
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Female
• Humans
• Menstruation (drug effects, physiology)
• Migraine without Aura (diagnosis, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Prospective Studies
• Young Adult