A drospirenone-containing oral contraceptive improved bleeding pattern and personal satisfaction in 914 women from Jordan, Lebanon and Syria

Abstract

Aim: We assessed bleeding pattern, tolerance and patient satisfaction of an oral contraceptive containing 3 mg drospirenone and 30 mcg ethi nyl estradiol (DRSP/EE) under real-life conditions. Study Design: We performed a m ulticenter, prospective, 6-cycle, observational study in Canada, Europe and the Middle East. Detailed analyses of the three Middle East countries, Jordan, Lebanon andSyriawere presented here. The efficacy variables included an assessment of bleeding patterns, premenstrual symptoms of water retention and patient satisfaction, as determined by a visual analogue scale. Results: A total of 914 women were enrolled. The percentage of wo men with intermenstrual bleeding decreased from 37.4%, 48.7% and 32.2% at baseline to 9.7%, 6.1% and 10.9% at the end of cycle6 inJordan, Lebanon and Syria, respectively (<0.0001). Also, the percentage of women with dysmenorrea de creased sharply in all three countries (p < 0.0001). Amenorrhea decreased significantly in Lebanon and Syria (p < 0.005). In addition, signs of water retention like abdominal bloating, breast tenderness and swelling of extremities decreased significantly over the course of 6 treatment cycles (p < 0.001). Patient satisfaction increased for all investigated items. Upon completion of the study, 82.7% of women answered “Yes” to continue treatment with this oral contraceptive. Conclusion: The oral contraceptive containing 3 mg drospirenone and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol has beneficial effects on bleeding pattern, symptoms of water retention and patient satisfaction.