User satisfaction with the combined oral contraceptive drospirenone 3 mg/ethinylestradiol 20 microg (Yasminelle) in clinical practice: a multi-country, questionnaire-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess women's perception of a combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing drospirenone 3 mg/ethinylestradiol (EE) 20 microg administered in the conventional 21/7 regimen (drospirenone 3 mg/EE 20 microg 21/7 regimen [Yasminelle]) in clinical practice.

METHODS: This questionnaire-based study was performed in 12 European countries and included women who had been taking the drospirenone 3 mg/EE 20 microg 21/7 regimen COC for > or =3 months.

RESULTS: Of 16 461 completed questionnaires, 12 277 were from women who had been using the drospirenone 3 mg/EE 20 microg 21/7 regimen COC for > or =3 months - 34% of women were new users of COCs and 65% had switched from alternative contraceptive brands. The mean age of these respondents was approximately 27 years. Seventy percent of women who indicated that they had skin problems before taking the drospirenone 3 mg/EE 20 microg 21/7 regimen COC responded that their skin had improved with treatment (3030/4305). Sixty-nine percent of women who had switched to the drospirenone 3 mg/EE 20 microg 21/7 regimen COC because of weight problems with their previous method of contraception responded that they had experienced weight loss (1205/1745). Approximately 95% of respondents said they were satisfied with the drospirenone 3 mg/EE 20 microg 21/7 regimen COC. Moreover, 83% of respondents said they would recommend this COC to a friend.

CONCLUSION: There were high levels of perceived satisfaction with the drospirenone 3 mg/EE 20 microg 21/7 regimen COC. The reported effects on weight loss (due to decreased water retention) and skin problems are consistent with the antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic benefits of drospirenone-containing COCs.