--- title: Does switching to birth control with natural estrogen improve quality of life and PMS? description: Yes, women who switched to birth control containing natural estrogen had significant improvements in quality of life and PMS symptoms within 6 months. Most wo url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effect-on-quality-of-life-of-switching-to-combined-oral-contraception-based-on-2016/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does switching to birth control with natural estrogen improve quality of life and PMS? Cohort study, 2016 # Does switching to birth control with natural estrogen improve quality of life and PMS? Yes, women who switched to birth control containing natural estrogen had significant improvements in quality of life and PMS symptoms within 6 months. Most women stayed on it with few side effects. Moderate study design 857 women (785 completed) at Spanish gynecology clinics in three contraception groups ## What they did Observational study at multiple Spanish clinics. 857 women attended baseline and 6-month visits. Three groups were compared: women using condoms who continued, women using condoms who switched to natural estrogen birth control, and women using older-type estrogen who switched to natural estrogen. Quality of life was measured at baseline and 6 months. ## What they found 785 women completed the study. Women who switched from condoms (n=224) had the largest improvement in quality of life. Women who switched from older-type birth control (n=489) also showed significant improvement. Continuation rate was 91.4% and 1.7% reported side effects. ## What it means for you Switching to natural estrogen birth control improves quality of life, especially for women dissatisfied with their previous method. Most women tolerated it well and continued using it. The study was done in Spain, so results may differ elsewhere. Specific PMS symptom improvements are not detailed. 785 women completed study 91.4% continuation rate 1.7% reported side effects ## About the study Original title Effect on quality of life of switching to combined oral contraception based on natural estrogen: an observational, multicentre, prospective phase IV study (ZOCAL Study) Authors Lete I, de la Viuda E, Pérez-Campos E et al. Journal The European journal of contraception & reproductive health care : the official journal of the European Society of Contraception Year 2016 Study design Cohort study Participants 857 What was tested Combined oral contraception based on natural estrogen Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/13625187.2016.1174206](https://doi.org/10.3109/13625187.2016.1174206) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/) 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, 2020 How common is PMS among women of reproductive age in Ethiopia? Randomised trial, 2011 Does a 24/4 birth control pill help women with PMDD improve work, relationship, and social functioning? Review, 2009 What causes PMDD and what are the treatment options? Randomised trial, 2004 Which low-dose birth control pill has better cycle control and fewer side effects? Study, 2026 What treatments work for PMDD? Survey study, 2026 How common is PMS in female medical students and how much does it affect their daily life? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗