---
title: Can contraceptives help PMDD? | Niyora
description: Combined hormonal contraceptives containing drospirenone in a 24+4-day regimen are FDA-approved for PMDD, and evidence suggests other formulations may also wo
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/contraceptive-options-for-women-with-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-current-2016/
---

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- Can contraceptives help PMDD?

Review, 2016

# Can contraceptives help PMDD?

Combined hormonal contraceptives containing drospirenone in a 24+4-day regimen are FDA-approved for PMDD, and evidence suggests other formulations may also work. The review could not determine which components matter most because it is based on existing studies.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder

## What they did

Literature review examining contraceptive treatments for PMDD.

## What they found

Oral combined hormonal contraceptives with drospirenone in a 24+4-day regimen are the only drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of PMDD. Scientific evidence suggests other agents with other formulations and regimens could also be effective, but it remains unclear whether benefits come from the type of estrogen or progestogen used or the treatment regimen.

## What it means for you

Multiple contraceptive options may help PMDD. The main limitation is that the review did not definitively explain which type works best, since findings depend on existing published studies.

## About the study

Original title Contraceptive options for women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder: current insights and a narrative review Authors Lete I, Lapuente O Journal Open access journal of contraception Year 2016 Study design Review What was tested Combined hormonal contraceptives Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.2147/oajc.s97013](https://doi.org/10.2147/oajc.s97013)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Systematic review, 2024

What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS?

Review, 2024

What are the most effective treatments for PMDD?

Guideline, 2023

How are GnRH agonists used to treat PMDD that doesn't respond to standard medications?

Systematic review, 2022

What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS?

Review, 2018

What are the most effective treatments for premenstrual syndrome and PMDD?

Review, 2017

What causes PMDD and what are the best treatments?

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