A Prospective Follow-Up of Two 21/7 Cycles Followed by Two Extended Regimen 84/7 Cycles with Contraceptive Pills Containing Ethinyl Estradiol and Drospirenone

作者：Seidman Daniel S^*; Yeshaya Arie; Ber Amos; Amodai Ida; Feinstein Itzhak; Finkel Israelit; Gordon Nina; Porat Noga; Samuel Dganit; Shiran Makler Einat; Wolman Igal

来源：Israel Medical Association Journal, 2010, 12(7): 400-405.

• combined hormonal contraceptives
• non-bleeding contraceptives
• menorrhagia
• continuous administration
• spotting
• menstrual symptoms

Background: Continuous use of combined oral contraceptives is currently attracting growing interest as a. means of improving menstrual related symptoms and reducing the number of bleeding days.
Objectives: To evaluate bleeding patterns, menstrual symptoms and quality of life with an extended 84/7 oral contraceptive regimen versus 21/7 cycles.
Methods: In two consecutive run-in cycles, 30 mu g ethinyl estradiol and 3 mg drospirenone tablets taken on days 1-21 were followed by a tablet-free period from days 22 to 28 of each cycle and then by two 84 day cycles of pill use with a 7 day tablet-free interval. The primary outcome was the total number of bleeding/spotting days. Secondary outcomes were severity of daily symptoms, general well-being determined by the PGWBI questionnaire, and overall treatment satisfaction.
Results: Of the 137 women invited to participate in the study 109 (aged 18-40 years) were enrolled. The number of bleeding days decreased by about one-third from a calculated 31.8 days of bleeding under a cyclic 21/7 regimen to an expected total of 21.8 days for the extended 84/7 regimen. The incidence of menorrhagia, intermenstrual bleeding, dysmenorrhea, abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, depressive moods and irritability when compared at enrollment and at the end of the second extended study period - was significantly lower (P < 0.005) among women on the continuous pill regimen. The median (range) global PGWBI scores were not substantially different before and after the extended use cycles: 78.2 (39.1-96.4) and 77.3 (30.9-96.4), respectively. Body weight and skin condition also remained constant. At the completion of the study: 65.5% of the women were either highly satisfied (41.4%) or satisfied (24.1%) with the extended regimen.
Conclusions: The extended 84/7 regimen was found to be satisfactory for the majority of participants and was associated with a decrease in the number of bleeding days and an improvement in menstrual symptoms compared to 21/7 cycles. IMAJ 2010, 12 400-405

• 出版日期2010-7