Efficacy and Side-Effects of Megestrol Acetate Tablets on Postpone Menstruation Compared with Low-Dose Estrogen Combined Oral Contraceptives (LD)

Abstract

Background: Women's menstrual suppression is desired for many reasons. Menstrual suppresion, especially during the holidays, trips, camps, military exercises, special events, academic examinations or athletic events is desirable. This study, with emphasis on safety of megestrol acetate tablets, aimed to determine the effect of this tablet on retardation of menstruation compared with low-dose estrogen combined oral contraceptives (LD). Methods: In this clinical-trial study, 140 applicants to postpone menstruation left for pilgrimage randomly devided to two groups, LD and megestrol acetate recipients. Data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire and were analyzed by Mann-Whitney Uand chi-square tests. Findings: The frequency of individuals reported symptoms such as headache or dizziness (P < 0.05), nausea or vomiting (P < 0.05), changes in appetite (P < 0.05) and changes in sexual desire (P < 0.05), was significantly more in the LD recipients compared with megestrol acetates. Conclusion: Megestrol acetate can be seen as a drug with the same efficacy of LD, but safer than it, to postpone the menstruation.

Keywords

• Postpone menstruation
• Low-dose estrogen combined oral contraceptives (LD)
• Megestrol acetate