--- title: Does drospirenone with ethinyl estradiol birth control help PMDD? description: This birth control formulation is the only hormone-based option with large randomized controlled trials proving it works for PMDD and has FDA approval for thi url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/drospirenone-ethinyl-estradiol-2008/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does drospirenone with ethinyl estradiol birth control help PMDD? Randomised trial, 2008 # Does drospirenone with ethinyl estradiol birth control help PMDD? This birth control formulation is the only hormone-based option with large randomized controlled trials proving it works for PMDD and has FDA approval for this use. Strong study design Women with PMDD using or considering hormone-based birth control ## What they did This is a narrative review describing drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol oral contraceptives, their properties, and the evidence base for effects on PMDD and acne. It does not report a single original study. ## What they found Drospirenone 3 mg/ethinyl estradiol 20 micrograms in a 24/4 formulation (24 active pills, 4 inactive pills) is currently the only hormone-based contraceptive with large randomized controlled trials demonstrating efficacy for PMDD. It has FDA approval for pregnancy prevention, PMDD, and moderate acne in women choosing oral contraception. ## What it means for you If you have PMDD and want hormone-based birth control, this formulation has the strongest evidence. This abstract is a review of evidence rather than reporting original research findings, so you would need to read the actual clinical trial reports to see specific results. 3 mg drospirenone dose 20 micrograms ethinyl estradiol dose 24/4 active to inactive pill ratio ## About the study Original title Drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol Authors Rapkin AJ, Sorger SN, Winer SA Journal Drugs of today (Barcelona, Spain : 1998) Year 2008 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Drospirenone 3 mg/ethinyl estradiol 20 micrograms in 24/4 formulation Read the paper [doi.org/10.1358/dot.2008.44.2.1191057](https://doi.org/10.1358/dot.2008.44.2.1191057) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/) 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 Randomised trial, 2003 What treatments work for PMS and PMDD? Randomised trial, 2007 Does drospirenone/ethinylestradiol birth control help PMDD symptoms? Cohort study, 2006 How should severe period pain in teenagers be treated? Systematic review, 2023 How common are menstrual cycle problems and PMS or PMDD in female athletes? Systematic review, 2013 Does Vitex (chaste tree) help PMS and PMDD symptoms? Systematic review, 2012 What medications work best for PMDD? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗