Randomised trial, 2012
Does continuous birth control help women with PMDD?
Continuous birth control pills reduced PMDD symptoms more than placebo. About 52% of women on the pill improved by at least half, compared to 40% on placebo.
What they did
Women with PMDD were randomly assigned to take levonorgestrel 90 mcg/ethinyl estradiol 20 mcg (186 women) or placebo (181 women) daily for 112 days. They completed daily symptom rating forms.
What they found
The birth control pill reduced symptoms more than placebo at the end of the first cycle (-30.52 vs -22.47 on the symptom scale) and during the worst 5 days of the last cycle (-26.77 vs -20.89). More women in the pill group improved by at least 50% (52% vs 40%).
What it means for you
Taking this birth control pill continuously without breaks reduced PMDD symptoms including mood, physical symptoms, and work problems. These results are from one large trial; more research may help identify which women benefit most.
186
Women in pill group
181
Women in placebo group
52% vs 40%
Responded with at least 50% improvement
About the study
- Original title
- Continuous oral levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol for treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Halbreich U, Freeman EW, Rapkin AJ et al.
- Journal
- Contraception
- Year
- 2012
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 186
- What was tested
- Levonorgestrel 90 mcg/ethinyl estradiol 20 mcg daily continuously vs placebo for 112 days
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2011.05.008
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