Premium
Effects of low‐dose combined drospirenone–ethinylestradiol on perimenstrual symptoms experienced by women with endometriosis
Author(s) -
Tanaka Yukiko,
Mori Taisuke,
Ito Fumitake,
Koshiba Akemi,
Kusuki Izumi,
Kitawaki Jo
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2016.05.004
Subject(s) - drospirenone , medicine , ethinylestradiol , endometriosis , pelvic pain , visual analogue scale , gynecology , menstrual cycle , obstetrics , physical therapy , population , surgery , hormone , environmental health , research methodology
Objective To determine the effectiveness of a 24/4‐day regimen of a low‐dose combination drospirenone–ethinylestradiol oral contraceptive in alleviating perimenstrual symptoms among Japanese women with endometriosis. Methods The present prospective, non‐randomized study enrolled women diagnosed with endometriosis radiographically or surgically at the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine hospital, Japan, between December 1, 2010 and August 31, 2013. Patients received treatment with oral drospirenone–ethinylestradiol for six treatment cycles. Dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, and dyspareunia severity were assessed using visual analog scale scores after three and six treatment cycles, and changes in perimenstrual symptoms were assessed using the menstrual distress questionnaire (MDQ) scores. Results In total, 46 patients were recruited for the study. Dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, and dyspareunia were all significantly reduced after both three and six treatment cycles in comparison with baseline ( P < 0.001 for all comparisons). After six treatment cycles, significant reductions were observed for all menstrual MDQ measures and for the premenstrual water retention and negative‐effect MDQ measures (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Combination drospirenone–ethinylestradiol was effective in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, and somatic/psychological symptoms in Japanese women with endometriosis.