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User Experience with an Oral Contraceptive Containing Ethinylestradiol 30μg and Drospirenone 3mg (Yasmin®) in Clinical Practice

  • Original Research Article
  • Published:
Treatments in Endocrinology

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the reasons why women chose the combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing ethinylestradiol 30μg and drospirenone 3mg, their perception of it, and their satisfaction with it when used in clinical practice.

Methods: This was an uncontrolled survey of women using the ethinylestradiol 30μg/drospirenone 3mg COC in 15 European countries from September to December 2004. The women were invited to participate in this study by their general practitioner, gynecologist, or other family planning provider. The women were asked to complete a four-part questionnaire retrospectively about why they chose the ethinylestradiol 30μg/drospirenone 3mg COC and their experiences with it.

Results: A total of 10 947 questionnaires were returned and included in the analysis. Of the respondents, 7694 (70%) had switched to the ethinylestradiol 30μg/drospirenone 3mg COC from other oral contraceptives. About two-thirds (6797 [62%]) of respondents stated that they felt better while using the ethinylestradiol 30μg/drospirenone 3mg COC compared with the time before they started using it. The severity of premenstrual symptoms including depressed mood, irritability, breast tenderness or pain, abdominal bloating or swelling, skin and hair problems, and swelling of the extremities all improved during treatment with the ethinylestradiol 30μg/drospirenone 3mg COC. Overall, 10 441 (95%) respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the ethinylestradiol 30μg/drospirenone 3mg COC and 9016 (82%) would recommend it to a friend.

Conclusion: The additional non-contraceptive benefits of the ethinylestradiol 30μg/drospirenone 3mg COC are important factors that influence patients’ perceptions of this oral contraceptive and their satisfaction with its use.

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Notes

  1. The use of trade names is for product identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

  2. The full questionnaire is available as supplementary material at http://endocrinology.adisonline.com.

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Acknowledgments

Funding for this study was provided by Schering AG, Berlin, Germany. Editorial assistance for the development of this manuscript was provided by Richard Glover, with the financial support of Schering AG. Dr Schultz-Zehden has received honoraria from Schering AG. The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Medizinische Psychologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Zentrum für Human- und Gesundheitswissenschaften, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, Berlin, 14195, Germany

    Beate Schultz-Zehden

  2. Ambulatorium KLIMAX, Vienna, Austria

    Ewald Boschitsch

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  1. Beate Schultz-Zehden
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  2. Ewald Boschitsch
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Schultz-Zehden, B., Boschitsch, E. User Experience with an Oral Contraceptive Containing Ethinylestradiol 30μg and Drospirenone 3mg (Yasmin®) in Clinical Practice. Mol Diag Ther 5, 251–256 (2006). https://doi.org/10.2165/00024677-200605040-00006

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00024677-200605040-00006

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