Drospirenone: a Latin American perspective for oestrogen-free oral contraception

Abstract

Aim: Combined hormonal contraceptives, despite their high efficacy, are associated with an increased relative risk of cardiovascular events. The contraceptive mechanism of action of combined pills depends fundamentally on their progestin component.

Methods: A narrative review was performed.

Results: The drospirenone-only pill, including this synthetic progestogen with antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic activity, has high contraceptive efficacy that has been demonstrated with a 24-day schedule of 4-day administration of hormone-free pills. Due to its safety profile, the drospirenone-only pill is suitable even in high-risk populations, such as women with high blood pressure, thromboembolism, smoking or dyslipidemia.

Conclusion: Considering the increasing prevalence of these comorbidities in Latin America, the 4 mg drospirenone-only pill is suggested as one of the strategies of choice in the region for those women who choose oral contraceptives.

Keywords: Drospirenone; Latin America; contraception; progestin.