Experience of using drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol combination in women of reproductive age

Abstract

Introduction. A woman’s unwillingness to enter pregnancy due to social and somatic factors is associated with a high risk of its termination and concomitant complications. A personalized selection of a method of contraception is necessary, which best meets the needs of a woman, including in achieving non-contraceptive effects.Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness, safety and compliance indicators when using a combined drug (3 mg of drospirenone + 20 mcg of ethinyl estradiol) in women in the early and mature reproductive period.Materials and methods. A study involving 68 women (polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), n = 31, adenomyosis, n = 20, uterine fibroids, n = 7, a combination of 2 or more diagnoses) was conducted on the basis of the Scientific polyclinic Department of the V.I. Kulakov National Research Medical Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation) of reproductive age (18–34 years) who took a combined contraceptive drug for 6 months or more. The control of the results was carried out on the basis of monitoring in the form of a survey.Results. The average time of use of the drug was 9 (Q₁–Q₃: 8–11) months. After 3 and 6 months, 77.8% (21/27) and 100% of the observed patients, respectively, noted a decrease in the severity of PMS symptoms. 91.7% (n = 11/12) of patients noted a subjective decrease in the severity of acne and/or hirsutism after 6 months. 91.3% (n = 21/23) of women with copious painful menstruation noted normalization of the bleeding profile (volume of menstrual blood loss). 95.6% (65 patients out of 68) noted 100% compliance in the use of the drug.Conclusions. The drug Dimia has a favorable profile of clinical and pharmacological safety and efficacy, along with the complete reversibility of contraceptive action when actualizing the issue of the realization of reproductive function. The advantages of the drug are to achieve well-studied non-contraceptive effects, in which patients with PCOS, internal endometriosis and uterine fibroids are interested, in the form of relieving manifestations of PMS and reducing the severity of dysmenorrhea, as well as cosmetic skin imperfections (acne-type rashes, hirsutism). Thus, the drug can be recommended to women of reproductive age as a reliable contraceptive, as well as to achieve non-contraceptive effects.