Yasmin® and the extended regimen: current experience
M. Sillem
Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Neuwied Red Cross Academic Hospital, Germany
The
conventional regimen for hormonal oral contraceptives is a 21-day pill-taking
period followed by a 7-day pill-free interval. In a recent survey among 252 oral
contraceptive users in five European countries, women were asked if they were
aware of the possibility of postponing menstruation by delaying pill intake and
whether they had used this method. Overall, 32% had delayed menstruation at some
time, and 37% were aware of the method but had not used it. Of the 79 women who
had postponed menstruation, almost two-thirds had seldom done so, while 11% used
the method more than once every 3 months. The majority of these women had
delayed their menstruation for a period ranging from 1 week to 3 months. In the
total population surveyed, 46% were very or somewhat interested in trying the
concept of postponement.
In a large, prospective, observational 6-month study in
Germany, cycle control, premenstrual symptoms and general well-being were
compared in 1433 women taking the oral contraceptive Yasmin®, containing 30 µg
ethinylestradiol and 3 mg drospirenone, in either an extended regimen (63–126
days) or a conventional regimen (short cycle). Fluid retention was reduced in
49% of women on the extended regimen compared to 34% of women on the
conventional regimen. Women reported a reduction in breast tenderness of 50% on
the extended regimen and 40% on the short-cycle regimen, while one-third of the
women on either regimen noticed an improvement in their skin condition.
Improvement in dysmenorrhea was reported by 65% and 50% of women on the extended
and short regimens, respectively. General well-being was improved in 85% on the
extended regimen and 66% on the short-cycle regimen (p<0.0001). Altogether, 97% of extended-cycle users and 91% of short-cycle users would recommend Yasmin® for further treatment. These results confirm previous observations that Yasmin® reduces premenstrual symptoms and improves general well-being. These effects were further increased through application of an extended cycle regimen.
