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 56,091 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Phasic oral contraceptives (OCs) provide a physiological approach to contraception and most closely approximate the ideals of a combined OC with the lowest possible doses to avoid the metabolic risks of estrogens and progestins, maximal contraceptive protection, and satisfactory cycle control. Earlier studies have demostrated the decline in myocaridal infarct and thromboembolic disease with reduction of ethinyl estradiol (EE) from 50 to 30 mcg, the correlation between progestin dose and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular deaths, and the effects of progestins derived from 19 nortestosterone in reducing the beneficial high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The preparation SH B 264 AB for example provides a 1st phase daily dose of 30 mcg EE and 50 mcg levonorgestrel, a sufficient dosage because of the low probability of ovulation but 1 which attempts to mimic the follicular secretion needed for endometrial growth. Daily doses in the 2nd phase increase to 40 mcg EE and 75 levonorgestrel, each of which is capable alone of inhibiting ovulation. The progestin causes a supplementary hypothalamic inhibition and renders the cervical mucus too viscous for sperm penetration, while the EE augments the hypothalamic inhibitory effect of the progestin, prevents release of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone, and suppresses the luteinizing hormone peak by increasing the pituitary threshold to hypothalamic stimulation. The total dose of SH B 264 AB is at least 30% less than that of other OCs. The Pearl index is 0.0-0.6, not quite as good as that of normal dosed OCs. The duration of menstrual bleeding appears unchanged even after prolonged use, while the amount of bleeding is slightly decreased. Amenorrhea and intermenstrual bleeding are rare. The good cycle control occurs because the steroid levels administered in the triphasic pill mimic those of ovarian secretion, leading to better endometrial development. The effects of triphasic pills on glycemia and insulin levels are very weak and are not statistically significant, while their slight estrogen dominance means that they have very slight effects on the level of HDL cholesterol. They cause a slight increase in triglyceride levels, minimal variation in coagulation parameters, a weak variation in factors VII, VIII, X, and plasminogen, and a slight decrease of antithrombin III. Triphasic OCs induce minimal augmentation in activity of the renin-angiotensin system, and in most cases do not affect blood pressure. Because of their estrogenic dominance, triphasic pills improve acne but may be associated with breast problems, water retention, dysmenorrhea, and premenstrual syndrome with irritability, nervousness, and headache. Triphasic pills are indicated for women beginning OCs, women with poor cycle control under other OCs, women at high cardiovascular risk, women with acne, and women whose current OCs cause oily skin, hirsutism, reduced libido or other symptoms. Contraindications for the triphasic pill in addition to the usual factors include benign breast disease, premenstural syndrome, dysmenorrhea, or polycystic ovarian syndrome.
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PMID:[Pros and cons of triphasic oral contraception]. 1226 12

Following a brief review of the progressive improvements in oral contraceptive (OC) formulations and a description of the multicenter international study of Triella, this article describes a French multicenter double-blind study which compared the triphasic OC Triella with the widely used biphasic pill Adepal. Triella combines a constant dose of 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol (EE) with norethisterone doses of .5 mg for 7 days, .75 mg for 7 days, and 1 mg for 7 days. 91 women used Triella for a total of 463 cycles and 87 used Adepal for 412 cycles. There were no statistically significant differences in the age, height, weight, blood pressure or previous OC usage of the 2 groups. Average menstrual cycle length and duration of menstruation were both shortened after OC use, from 30.16 to 27.6 days and 4.74 to 3.65 days with Triella and from 30.49 to 27.6 days and 4.85 to 3.59 days with Adepal. Some diminution of menstrual flow was also observed. Spotting or staining was observed during 14.0% of days in the 1st cycle and 2.0% in the 6th cycle with Triella and during 11.9% of days in the 1st cycle and 3.9% in the 6th cycle with Adepal. Before treatment, during the 1st cycle, and during the 6th cycle respectively, 48.4%, 9.9%, and 4.8% of women using Triella and 65.5%, 11.4%, and 8.9% using Adepal experienced dysmenorrhea, while 45.1%, 12.1%, and 6.3% using Triella and 57.5%, 13.8%, and 10.7% using Adepal experienced premenstrual syndrome. There were no statistically significant changes in weight. Mean blood pressure did not show any tendency to increase with Triella after a temporary rise in the 1st 2 cycles, which was not statistically significant. Average blood pressure with Adepal increased from 118.6/70.9 before treatment to 121.4/71.6 in the 6th cycle. 3.3% of Triella users and 9.2% of Adepal users had blood pressure increases to 140/90 or above. Among cycles of Triella and Adepal use respectively, 6.9% and 8.3% had breast problems, 6.2% and 5.6% had digestive problems, 6.9% and 3.6% had abdominopelvic problems, 5.4% and 4.9% had headaches, 3.2% and 4.6% had leucorrhea, 1.9% and 3.6% had psychic problems, .9% and 1.5% had vascular problems, and .6% and .7% had skin problems. All side effects had a tendency to decline with use. No new anomalies were detected in the final gynecological examination, except a case of mastosis in an Adepal user. 20 Triella users and 23 Adepal users were evaluated before treatment and at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th cycle for triglycerides, fasting and postprandial insulin and glucose tolerance, and total cholesterol. There were no significant changes, although there were nonsignificant postprandial elevations in glucose and insulin with both formulations. There were slight declines in total cholesterol with both OCs. No pregnancies occurred in either group.
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PMID:[Triella: a French multicenter double blind clinical study]. 1228 Feb 13

More than 60% of the women in both groups suffered from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, such as anxiety, mastalgia, insomnia, nausea and gastrointestinal disorders, whereas a smaller number of women suffered from phobic disorders, premenstrual headaches and migraines. There were three women from the first group and seven women from the second group who continued the medication treatment with progestins, whereas one woman from the first group and nine women from the second group continued to take fluoxetine. In the first group, nine women stopped having PMS symptoms after two AP treatments, eight women stopped having them after three treatments and one woman stopped having them after four treatments. In four women from the first group and 16 women from the second group, PMS symptoms appeared during the following period (cycle) or continued even after four treatments, so the medication was continued. In the first group, one woman had a smaller subcutaneous hematoma after the AP acupoint Ren 6. There was a statistical and relevant reduction in PMS symptoms with the AP treatments in the first group (P<0.001), whereas their reduction was irrelevant in the placebo AP group (P>0.05). The success rate of AP in treating PMS symptoms was 77.8%, whereas it was 5.9%. in the placebo group. The positive influence of AP in treating PMS symptoms can be ascribed to its effects on the serotoninergic and opioidergic neurotransmission that modulates various psychosomatic functions. The initial positive results of PMS symptoms with a holistic approach are encouraging and AP should be suggested to the patients as a method of treatment.
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PMID:Using acupuncture to treat premenstrual syndrome. 1241 Mar 69

Menstruation is a biological phenomenon that has been subject of myths and taboos within and among various cultures. These myths distort the reality surrounding menstruation and create ambivalent feelings about the value and usefulness of this function outside of its necessity as mean of reproduction. Thus studies concerning menstruation need to take into account cultural and psychosocial factors that define the meaning, values and behavior associated with this biological phenomenon. According to several studies, 70% of women experience psychological faintness during this menstrual phase, 40% of them have these symptoms at each menstruation and between 3 to 8% of them suffer severely reacquiring medical support. This entity called premenstrual dysphoric disorder is defined by the presence of several symptoms (distress, tension, irritability, moodiness.) with a significant impairment in work or social functioning beginning during the week before and ending within a few days after the onset of menses. Several studies conducted over the past few years suggested that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotoninergic tricyclic drugs may be more effective than other types of antidepressants in treating PMS symptoms. Two protocols are proposed; a continuous treatment or intermittent use during few days during pre-menstrual and menstrual phase for several cycles. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the prevalence of a potential premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) during one menstrual cycle, in a representative sample of general population of Casablanca, according the DSM IV criteria. On the other hand, a questionnaire, available from the authors, was used to explore socio-demographic data. Among 618 women interviewed, 310 met the criteria of a potential PMDD (50.2%). The mean age of the population with PMDD was 32.2 8 years ranging from 20 to 50 years; 54.8% of them were married, 33.9% of them were single and 66.5% of them had between 1 to 4 children. Two third of them were without a professional activity. During this premenstrual phase the following symptoms were found among the whole sample: marked depressive mood, feeling of hopelessness, or self-depreciation thoughts (77.7%, n=241%); difficulty of concentration (65%, n=201); marked change in appetite, overeating or specific food craving (82.8%, n=256); marked affective lability, with sadness tearful and increased sensitivity to rejection (65.8%, n=204); hypersomnia or insomnia (59.7%, n=185); subjective sense of being overwhelmed or out of control (55.7%, n=172); lethargy, excessive fatigability (91.6%, n=283); physical symptoms including breast tenderness, swelling, headache, joint or muscular pain, and a sensation of bloating and weight gain (81.9%, n=253). The most severe symptoms were fatigue and irritability. On the other hand, 73.9% of the sample had a disturbance in their socio-professional lives as a consequence to the psychological disturbances. Half of these women consulted a physician, mostly a general practitioner. These data are in accordance with the literature, confirming that this disorder is common and has a bad impact on mental health and on quality of life of the women suffering from PMDD.
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PMID:[Assessment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptoms: population of women in Casablanca]. 1250 65

The purpose of this study is to compare bleeding patterns and acceptability of a contraceptive regimen of combined 20 microg ethinyl estradiol/100 microg levonorgestrel taken with and without a hormone-free interval. Thirty-two women desiring oral contraception were randomized to six 28-day cycles (standard group) or 168 days without a pill-free interval (continuous group). Participants kept a daily bleeding calendar documenting bleeding events (none, spotting or required sanitary protection) and side effects (headache, nausea, breast tenderness, depression, premenstrual syndrome and bloating). Primary outcome was number of bleeding days. Secondary outcomes included bleeding days requiring sanitary protection, amenorrhea, patient acceptability of bleeding patterns, method satisfaction and affective side effects. There were no differences in the baseline characteristics of the two groups. Although total bleeding days were fewer in the continuous group (mean = 25.9 vs. 34.9 days), this result did not reach statistical significance. However, women in the continuous group reported significantly fewer bleeding days that required protection (18.4 vs. 33.8 days, p < 0.01), and were more likely to have amenorrhea. Although both groups reported a high level of satisfaction with bleeding patterns and side effect profiles, women in the continuous group reported significantly fewer days of bloating (0.7 vs. 11.1 days, p = 0.04), and menstrual pain (1.9 vs. 13.3 days, p < 0.01). Continuous use of 20 microg ethinyl estradiol/100 microg levonorgestrel is associated with less bleeding requiring protection, and more amenorrhea than standard administration. Taken with or without a hormone-free interval, this oral contraceptive formulation is highly acceptable with regard to bleeding patterns and side effect profile. The continuous group had fewer light and moderate bleeding days, less bloating and menstrual pain. For patients who are seeking these results, this method may be more desirable.
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PMID:Bleeding patterns and patient acceptability of standard or continuous dosing regimens of a low-dose oral contraceptive: a randomized trial. 1252 51

Premenstrual syndrome, a common cyclic disorder of young and middle-aged women, is characterized by emotional and physical symptoms that consistently occur during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Women with more severe affective symptoms are classified as having premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Although the etiology of these disorders remains uncertain, research suggests that altered regulation of neurohormones and neurotransmitters is involved. Premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder are diagnoses of exclusion; therefore, alternative explanations for symptoms must be considered before either diagnosis is made. The disorders can manifest with a wide variety of symptoms, including depression, mood lability, abdominal pain, breast tenderness, headache, and fatigue. Women with mild symptoms should be instructed about lifestyle changes, including healthy diet, sodium and caffeine restriction, exercise, and stress reduction. Supportive strategies, such as use of a symptom diary, may be helpful in diagnosing and managing the disorders. In women with moderate symptoms, treatment includes both medication and lifestyle modifications. Dietary supplements, such as calcium and evening primrose oil, may offer modest benefit. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine and sertraline are the most effective pharmacologic agents. Prostaglandin inhibitors and diuretics may provide some relief of symptoms. Only weak evidence supports the effectiveness of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, androgenic agents, estrogen, progesterone, or other psychotropics, and side effects limit their use.
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PMID:Premenstrual syndrome. 1272 53

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is considered a severe form of premenstrual syndrome. Symptoms of PMDD occur during the last week of the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and usually abate at the onset of menses. About 3-8% of all menstruating women experience PMDD, which can lead to significant functional impairment. Several randomized, controlled trials have assessed the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the treatment of PMDD. The SSRIs were found to significantly improve symptoms, particularly psychological or behavioral symptoms, during the luteal phase in women with PMDD. Also, SSRIs were found to improve the quality of life in women with PMDD. Headache, fatigue, insomnia, and anxiety were often reported as adverse effects. A decrease in libido or sexual dysfunction also was reported. In recent studies, intermittent SSRI therapy was found to be effective treatment for PMDD and allows a woman to take the drug for only 14 days each month. Intermittent SSRI therapy should be recommended before continuous daily dosing of SSRIs in the treatment of PMDD.
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PMID:Treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. 1452 45

Premenstrual syndrome consists of different somatic and/or psychological symptoms which occur in the second half of the menstrual cycle following ovulation. The symptoms usually occur around mid-circle and in majority of cases are most intense during the last seven days prior to menstruation. Given the fact that this topic has not been adequately addressed in our country the aims of this study have been defined as to determine the type and frequency of somatic and psychological symptoms related to menstruation. The study was done on the sample of 181 women in the age of 15-52 years, of different educational and marital status. Four groups were formed: married (78), single (103), and adult (138) and adolescent (43). In order to determine the type and frequency of symptoms we used a structural interview modified according to DSM-IV criteria. In accordance with DSM-IV criteria 52% of subjects have premenstrual dysphoric disorder, among which 23.4% adolescents, 76.6% adult women. The most frequent somatic symptoms related to menstruation are: swelling of the breasts, weight gain, myalgias, arm and leg swelling (81.8%), changes in appetite (63.5%), sleep problems (55%), headache (47%). The most frequent psychological problems were depressive mood (68%), fatigability and lack of energy (53.6%), anger and social withdrawal (49.7), anxiety (49%), difficulties of concentrating and difficulties with memory (40.7%). There is no statistically significant difference in frequency of symptoms between the groups except in the presence of pain which is significantly more frequent in adolescents. A defeating fact has been noted in that 64.9% of women inadequately define the duration of their menstrual cycle. It is concluded that premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a significant problem of women in Bosnia-Herzegovina (present in 52% of women) with a range of unpleasant psychological and somatic symptoms. Due to all this as well as the fact that a considerable number of women inadequately define the duration of their menstrual cycle, it is necessary to devote greater attention to this problem by public health professionals, family doctors, gynecologists and psychiatrists alike.
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PMID:[Psychological disorders in women in Bosnia and Herzegovina associated with menstruation]. 1502 63

In healthy women, plasma norepinephrine (NE) has a cycle with the highest levels occurring at ovulation and early luteal phase. We examined plasma NE cyclicity in premenstrual syndrome (PMS) patients as compared to controls, its relation to estradiol (E(2)), progesterone (P), luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, and the correlation of these parameters with the PMS symptoms. Lack of NE cyclicity was observed in PMS patients. In controls, peak NE levels occurred at ovulation and early luteal phase. In PMS, serum E(2) was higher during the follicular phase, while P and gonadotrophins were higher especially at ovulation and the luteal phase. In the late luteal phase, E(2) levels were lower in PMS patients than in controls. A negative correlation was observed between the area under the curve for E(2) in the luteal phase and PMS somatic and mental scores. Plasma NE showed a negative correlation with abrupt mood swings, impatience, nervousness, tiredness, weakness, apathy, and headache. These data suggest that lack of NE cyclicity characterizes PMS, some symptoms being related to low E(2) levels during the late luteal phase and decreased noradrenergic activity at ovulation and the luteal phase.
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PMID:Lack of plasma norepinephrine cyclicity, increased estradiol during the follicular phase, and of progesterone and gonadotrophins at ovulation in women with premenstrual syndrome. 1517 14

Vitex agnus castus L. (VAC) [Verbenaceae] is a deciduous shrub that is native to Mediterranean Europe and Central Asia. Traditionally, VAC fruit extract has been used in the treatment of many female conditions, including menstrual disorders (amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), corpus luteum insufficiency, hyperprolactinaemia, infertility, acne, menopause and disrupted lactation. The German Commission E has approved the use of VAC for irregularities of the menstrual cycle, premenstrual disturbances and mastodynia. Clinical reviews are available for the efficacy of VAC in PMS, cycle disorders, hyperprolactinaemia and mastalgia, but so far no systematic review has been published on adverse events or drug interactions associated with VAC. Therefore, this review was conducted to evaluate all the available human safety data of VAC monopreparations. Literature searches were conducted in six electronic databases, in references lists of all identified papers and in departmental files. Data from spontaneous reporting schemes of the WHO and national drug safety bodies were also included. Twelve manufacturers of VAC-containing preparations and five herbalist organisations were contacted for additional information. No language restrictions were imposed. Combination preparations including VAC or homeopathic preparations of VAC were excluded. Data extraction of key data from all articles reporting adverse events or interactions was performed independently by at least two reviewers, regardless of study design. Data from clinical trials, postmarketing surveillance studies, surveys, spontaneous reporting schemes, manufacturers and herbalist organisations indicate that the adverse events following VAC treatment are mild and reversible. The most frequent adverse events are nausea, headache, gastrointestinal disturbances, menstrual disorders, acne, pruritus and erythematous rash. No drug interactions were reported. Use of VAC should be avoided during pregnancy or lactation. Theoretically, VAC might also interfere with dopaminergic antagonists. Although further rigorous studies are needed to assess the safety of VAC, the data available seem to indicate that VAC is a safe herbal medicine.
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PMID:Vitex agnus castus: a systematic review of adverse events. 1578 41


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