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Use of the Drospirenone-Only Contraceptive Pill in Adolescents with Endometriosis
Jessica Y Shim1, Garrett Garbo2, Frances W Grimstad1
1Division of Gynecology, Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Study Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a progestin-only pill containing 4 mg drospirenone (DRSP) as a hormonal therapy for the management of endometriosis-associated symptoms in adolescents and young adults.
Design:
Retrospective cohort study.
Methods:
A retrospective chart review was performed of all adolescents who were prescribed DRSP continuously (without placebo) for treatment of endometriosis at a single pediatric tertiary care center between 2019 and 2022. Electronic medical records were reviewed to obtain demographics and clinical characteristics of the patients. Measured outcomes included symptom resolution and medication discontinuation. The study was deemed IRB exempt.
Results:
A total of 61 patients with endometriosis were prescribed DRSP during the study period, with a median age of 18.9 years (SD 2.3). The majority (97%) were laparoscopically confirmed to have endometriosis, and 85% had stage I disease. Before DRSP use, the most common medications trialed were norethindrone (57%) and norethindrone acetate (68%), and 56% had at least one medical contraindication to receiving estrogen-containing therapy. Of those with follow-up, 52% established an absence of bleeding/spotting, and 67% reported less pain at follow-up. One in 4 patients discontinued DRSP during the study period, most commonly due to breakthrough bleeding.
Conclusion:
DRSP is a well-tolerated and effective option for the treatment of endometriosis-associated symptoms in adolescents and young adults.
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