Menstrual Disorders - Medications

OCs are often used to regulate periods in women with menstrual disorders, including menorrhagia (heavy bleeding), dysmenorrhea (severe pain), and amenorrhea (absence of periods). Oral contraceptives are as effective for treating pain from endometriosis as the more potent gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists. They also protect against ovarian and endometrial cancers.

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High-dose OCs have been specifically helpful for adolescents with severe dysmenorrhea. Studies with low-dose OCs are also showing promise in reducing menstrual pain for adolescents and adults. Some of the specific drugs used in these contraceptives are estradiol and levonorgestrel, drospirenone, and desogestrel.

Combination pills are sold in 21-day or 28-day packs:

Each pill in the 21-day pack contains the necessary estrogen and progestin.
The 28-day pack adds seven differently colored "reminder" pills; they are inactive and do not contain hormones, but help the user maintain her daily routine during seven days between active pill use.

OCs may be taken in cycles that include pills of the same or different strengths. These are categorized as monophasic (one-phase), biphasic (two-phase), or triphasic (three-phase).

Monophasic regimen (e.g., Alesse, Brevicon, Demulen, Desogen, Genora, Levlen, Levlite, Loestrin, Lo/Ovral, ModiCon, Necon, Nordette, Norethin, Norinyl, Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho-Novum, Ovcon, Ovral, Yasmin, Zovia.) A 21-day pack uses tablets that are one strength and one color for 21 days. (A 28-day pack adds seven inactive tablets of a different color.)
Biphasic regimen (e.g., Mircette, Necon, Nelova, Ortho-Novum). A 21-day pack consists of tablets of one strength and color taken for seven or 10 days, then a second tablet with a different strength and color for the next 11 or 14 days. (And a 28-day pack adds seven inactive tablets of a third color.)
Triphasic regimen (e.g. Estrostep-21, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Tri-Levlen, Tri-Norinyl, Triphasil, Trivora). This pack consists of tablets with three different colors and strengths. In the first phase, there are tablets of one color for five to seven days; for phase two, a second color and strength tablets is taken for five to seven days; and for phase three, a third color and strength tablet is taken for five to 10 days. The difference in duration of each phase depends on the brand. (And a 28-day pack includes a fourth color inactive tablet for the last seven days.)

In all cases, women continue to menstruate, but their periods are lighter, shorter, more regular, and less painful than bleeding in women who are not on the pill. The monophasic regimen is the most studied regimen and at this time is preferred. Yasmin, one of the monophasic forms, contains drospirenone, a progestin that resembles the natural form. Studies suggest that it may help reduce dysmenorrhea as well as premenstrual symptoms. There appears to be no major differences in bleeding control between the monophasic and biphasic regimens. One analysis found better bleeding control with the triphasic than the biphasic, which may have due to the specific progestins used (levonorgestrel in the triphasic regimen and norethindrone in the biphasic regimens).