Estetrol-Drospirenone Contraceptive Composition for Bleeding Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Adolescent females experience unscheduled bleeding and spotting, which is distressing and leads to non-compliance with hormonal contraceptives, with existing treatments like progestin-only pills having unfavorable bleeding patterns and limited efficacy.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising estetrol and drospirenone is administered to adolescent females to reduce unscheduled bleeding and spotting, providing a more effective and safe solution with improved bleeding control and reduced dysmenorrhea symptoms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If progestin-only pills based on drospirenone are used, then contraceptive efficacy is provided, but unscheduled bleeding and spotting occur at high rates in adolescent females

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontraceptive efficacyVSAvoidunscheduled bleeding and spotting
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines estetrol (a novel estrogen) with drospirenone (a progestin) in a single oral contraceptive formulation. This combination merges the benefits of both hormone types to achieve better bleeding control while maintaining contraceptive efficacy in adolescent females, resolving the contradiction between contraceptive reliability and bleeding control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a novel estrogen parameter (estetrol) that differs from traditional estrogens like ethinylestradiol. This parameter change in the hormonal composition leads to improved bleeding patterns and reduced unscheduled bleeding in adolescents while maintaining the protective effect of the progestin component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If existing hormonal contraceptives are used, then pregnancy prevention is achieved, but bleeding patterns remain unstable and dysmenorrhea symptoms persist

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepregnancy preventionVSAvoidbleeding pattern stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The combination of estetrol and drospirenone merges complementary mechanisms: the novel estrogen stabilizes the endometrium and regulates bleeding patterns, while the progestin provides contraceptive efficacy. This synergistic combination achieves both stable bleeding patterns and reliable pregnancy prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite hormonal formulation combining a novel estrogen (estetrol) with a progestin (drospirenone). This composite approach leverages the distinct pharmacological properties of both hormones to simultaneously achieve bleeding pattern stability and effective contraception, overcoming the limitations of single-hormone or traditional combined formulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If progestin-only pills are used, then contraceptive protection is provided, but adolescent compliance decreases due to distressing bleeding symptoms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontraceptive protectionVSAvoidcompliance with regimen
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By merging estetrol with drospirenone, the formulation provides contraceptive protection while simultaneously improving bleeding control. This reduces the distressing symptoms that lead to non-compliance, making the regimen easier to adhere to while maintaining protective efficacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of unscheduled bleeding into a beneficial outcome by using estetrol to stabilize bleeding patterns. The novel estrogen component transforms the previously problematic bleeding symptoms into a more predictable and manageable pattern, improving compliance while maintaining contraceptive protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP4691471A1A composition comprising estetrol and drospirenone for use in treating unscheduled bleeding in adolescents
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 ESTETRA SRL
  • EP4691471A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4691471A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4691471A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a composition comprising an estetrol component and drospirenone for use in treating unscheduled bleeding and spotting in an adolescent female subject. The invention also encompasses associated uses and methods of contraception in adolescent subjects.