---
title: Does drospirenone/ethinylestradiol birth control help PMDD? | Niyora
description: Yes. This birth control pill combination has shown highly satisfactory results for premenstrual dysphoric syndrome and helps reduce fluid retention and acne.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/drospirenone-ethinylestradiol-a-review-on-efficacy-and-noncontraceptive-benefits-2011/
---

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- Does drospirenone/ethinylestradiol birth control help PMDD?

Review, 2011

# Does drospirenone/ethinylestradiol birth control help PMDD?

Yes. This birth control pill combination has shown highly satisfactory results for premenstrual dysphoric syndrome and helps reduce fluid retention and acne.

 Early or limited evidence

Women taking oral contraceptives, including those with PMDD

## What they did

Review article examining the contraceptive and non-contraceptive benefits of ethinylestradiol 20 micrograms combined with drospirenone 3 milligrams.

## What they found

The ethinylestradiol 20 µg and drospirenone 3 mg combination demonstrated highly satisfactory results in women with premenstrual dysphoric syndrome. The drospirenone component has antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic activity, resulting in less fluid retention and lower rates of adverse events. The combination also improves acne.

## What it means for you

This birth control pill may help PMDD symptoms and reduce bloating and acne. This is a review of existing evidence rather than new research, so the abstract does not specify how many women benefit or how much symptoms improve.

20 µg

Ethinylestradiol dose

3 mg

Drospirenone dose

## About the study

Original title Drospirenone/ethinylestradiol: a review on efficacy and noncontraceptive benefits Authors Machado RB, Pompei Lde M, Giribela AG et al. Journal Women's health (London, England) Year 2011 Study design Review What was tested Ethinylestradiol 20 µg and drospirenone 3 mg oral contraceptive Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.2217/whe.10.84](https://doi.org/10.2217/whe.10.84)

## 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/)[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.

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