Assessment of the Pharmacodynamic Effect on Plasma Folate and Red Blood Cell Folate and Comparison of the Folate Metabolites During the 24 Weeks of Treatment (Yasmin + Metafolin Versus Yasmin + Folic Acid) Followed by a 20 Week Elimination Phase of Folate

Combination EE/DRSP/ Metafolin \[0.030 mg ethinylestradiol (EE) + 3 mg drospirenone (DRSP) + 0.451 mg Metafolin\] given orally in a cyclic regimen for 24 weeks (6 cycles) in combination with folic acid placebo tablets (encapsulated). Each treatment cycle consisting of once daily hormone and Metafolin treatment for 21-days followed by once daily hormone free, Metafolin only regimen for 7 days. This phase was followed by 20 weeks (5 cycles) folate elimination phase consisting of oral administration of Yasmin alone.

Yasmin \[0.030 mg ethinylestradiol (EE) + 3 mg drospirenone (DRSP)\] in combination with folic acid tablets 0.4 mg (encapsulated), given orally in a cyclic regimen for 24 weeks (6 cycles). Each treatment cycle providing once daily hormone and folic acid treatment for 21 days followed by once daily hormone free, folic acid only regimen for 7 days (encapsulated). This phase was followed by 20 weeks (5 cycles) folate elimination phase consisting of oral administration of Yasmin alone.