Drospirenone-ethinyl called good option for PCOS. (Expert Opinion).

VAIL. COLO. -- The oral contraceptive drospirenone-ethinyl estradiol is a particularly attractive option for treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome in patients who don't desire pregnancy, Dr. Alan H. DeCherney said at a conference on obstetrics and gynecology sponsored by the University of Colorado.

"There's no evidence that Yasmin [drospirenone-ethinyl estradiol] is better than other OCs in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but theoretically--and I'm sure there are a number of studies going on to prove whether it's true--the fact that you replace the progestin with a spironolactone analogue makes me think that this would work much better in PCOS. I've switched most of my patients on OCs who have PCOS to Yasmin. It makes sense theoretically and it's certainly no worse than any other birth control pill," said Dr. DeCherney, professor and chair of ob.gyn. at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Each tablet of the contraceptive contains 0.03 mg of ethinyl estradiol and 3 mg of drospirenone, a novel progestin and spironolactone analogue with both antiandrogenic and antimineralocorticoid properties. Younger physicians may not be aware that for a long time, spironolactone at 25 mg b.i.d. to 100 mg b.i.d. was a popular second-line drug for the treatment ...