New combined oral contraceptive containing drospirenone and changes in
body weight during six usage cycles
D. Driák (1), Z. Tömölová (2)
Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of the 1st Medical Faculty of
Charles University and Teaching Hospital Na Bulovce, Prague, Czech Republic (1);
GynCentrum, s.r.o., Prague, Czech Republic (2)
Introduction: One of the most frequent reasons for discontinuing oral
contraception (OC) from the side of patients is weight gain. Drospirenone (DRSP)
is the only progestin whose mild antimeneralocorticoid effect makes it more
similar to the endogenous progesterone than any other syntetic gestogen
currently available. DRSP is able to eliminate the weight-increasing effect of
estrogens. Its acceptability comes from the unique progesterone-like
pharmacological profile of the progestin component derived from 17-spirolactone.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to observe the changes in
body weight during 6 usage cycles of the new OC containing 30 µg of
ethinylestradiol and 3000 µg of drospirenone in one tablet (Yadine).
Design & Methods: From June 2003 until January 2004, in 110 women
between 15 and 46, changes in body weight, BMI and girt measurement were
observed. Side effects and reasons for discontinuation were analysed.
Results: One patient (0,9 %) stopped using Yadine in the first month
of usage because of pains in the calves and a feeling of languor, the other 109
patients (99,1 %) finished 6 cycles. The contraceptive’s reliability was
absolute. During 6 usage cycles of Yadine, the mean body weight dropped from
60,5 to 59,6 kg, the BMI decreased very slightly from 21,9 to 21,6 kg/m2 and
girt circumference decreased from 61,5 to 60,2 cm. Breakthrough bleeding occured
in only 2 cases (1,8 %) in the first 3 months.
Conclusions: According to the results of this prospective study, in
654 cycles the OC containing 30 µg of EE and 3000 µg of DRPS is tolerated very
well. Body weight, BMI and girt circumference remain stable or are slightly,
non-significantly decreased. There were no serious life threatening adverse
events, in one patient pains in calves indicated the risk of possible of
thrombosis and using of OC was stopped.
