Sigrid Nyberg1. 1. Department of Clinical Science, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå University, S-90185 Umeå, Sweden. Sigrid.nyberg@vll.se
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate how women without and with different severity of premenstrual symptoms react to treatment with a combined oral contraceptive containing 250-mcg norgestimate/35-mcg ethinyl estradiol (EE). Focus was placed on mood and physical symptoms. STUDY DESIGN: This open, prospective study evaluated 24 women using norgestimate/EE for three cycles in a 21/7 regimen. Symptoms and bleeding pattern were captured by daily ratings on the Cyclicity Diagnoser scale. RESULTS: Women with severe premenstrual mood symptoms improved in summarized negative mood (p<.001) and summarized positive mood (p<.05), as well as in swelling (p<.05) and effect on daily life (p<.05). Women with no or mild or moderate symptoms did not show any significant improvement or deterioration in any symptom after 3 months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Norgestimate 250 mcg/EE 35 mcg significantly improved premenstrual summarized negative mood symptoms during 3 treatment months compared to pretreatment in women with severe premenstrual symptoms, together with improvement in positive symptoms, swelling and effect on daily life.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate how women without and with different severity of premenstrual symptoms react to treatment with a combined oral contraceptive containing 250-mcg norgestimate/35-mcg ethinyl estradiol (EE). Focus was placed on mood and physical symptoms. STUDY DESIGN: This open, prospective study evaluated 24 women using norgestimate/EE for three cycles in a 21/7 regimen. Symptoms and bleeding pattern were captured by daily ratings on the Cyclicity Diagnoser scale. RESULTS:Women with severe premenstrual mood symptoms improved in summarized negative mood (p<.001) and summarized positive mood (p<.05), as well as in swelling (p<.05) and effect on daily life (p<.05). Women with no or mild or moderate symptoms did not show any significant improvement or deterioration in any symptom after 3 months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS:Norgestimate 250 mcg/EE 35 mcg significantly improved premenstrual summarized negative mood symptoms during 3 treatment months compared to pretreatment in women with severe premenstrual symptoms, together with improvement in positive symptoms, swelling and effect on daily life.