Effects of the continuous use of a combination of ethinyl-estradiol/gestodene
in the control of symptoms reported during the hormone-free interval
R.B. Machado, P. Fabrini, E.M.P. Pádua, G.C.M. Cavenague, E.M.C. Maia, A.M.
Cruz
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Jundiaí,
São Paulo, Brazil
Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the
prevalence of symptoms experienced during the hormone-free interval by users of
combined oral contraceptive pills and to evaluate the impact of the continuous
use of the association of ethinyl-estradiol/gestodene for fifty-six days on
these symptoms.
Design & Methods: A total of 476 women with a mean age of 28.8
years were enrolled in this open, prospective, non-comparative study. Patients
used the contraceptive combination of ethinyl-estradiol 30 mcg /gestodene 75 mcg
continuously for 56 days. Evaluations were carried out after 28 and 56 days on
symptoms reported during the use of the oral contraceptive. Student’s t-test
for paired samples was used in the statistical analysis to compare the symptoms
reported at the beginning and at the end of the study by the users of this
contraceptive method.
Results: Of the 476 patients initially evaluated, 334 were current
users of combined oral contraceptives. A total of 219 women (65%) reported
symptoms during the hormone-free interval of contraceptive pill use. Headache,
mastalgia, dysmenorrhea, edema, menorrhagia and emotional lability were the most
common complaints that decreased significantly (p<0.05) after 56 days of continuous contraceptive use. No significant decrease was observed in the presence of nausea, depression, weight gain or reduction in libido during the hormone-free interval after continuous use of the pill.
Conclusions: A high incidence of symptoms was observed during the
hormone-free interval in women using the pill in the standard oral contraceptive
regimen with a 7-day pill-free interval. Continuous use of the oral
contraceptive pill containing ethinylestradiol and gestodene for 56 days
resulted in effective relief of most of the symptoms reported during the
hormone-free interval.
