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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

Topics