--- title: Does YAZ birth control pill reduce premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptoms? description: YAZ improved PMDD symptoms more than placebo, but the difference was not statistically significant in this study. The pill was generally well tolerated. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/efficacy-and-safety-of-a-combined-oral-contraceptive-containing-drospirenone-3-2014/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does YAZ birth control pill reduce premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptoms? Randomised trial, 2014 # Does YAZ birth control pill reduce premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptoms? YAZ improved PMDD symptoms more than placebo, but the difference was not statistically significant in this study. The pill was generally well tolerated. Moderate study design 187 women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder ## What they did 187 women with PMDD were randomly assigned to YAZ (drospirenone 3 mg and ethinylestradiol 20 µg, n=93) or placebo (n=94). The study lasted 84 days with 2 run-in cycles and 3 treatment cycles. Pills were taken for 24 days followed by 4 days of inactive pills. Symptoms were tracked daily using DRSP and CGI scales. ## What they found The YAZ group improved more than baseline (median improvement minus 28.7) compared to placebo (median improvement minus 23.7), but this difference was not statistically significant. Main side effects were intermenstrual bleeding (13% YAZ versus 3% placebo), menorrhagia (9% versus 1%), nausea (5% versus 4%), and skin rash (4% versus 2%). ## What it means for you YAZ may help PMDD symptoms, but this multicenter study did not prove it was significantly better than placebo. The most common side effect was intermenstrual bleeding. Larger studies may be needed to confirm benefit. 187 Total women in study -28.7 YAZ group median improvement -23.7 Placebo group median improvement ## About the study Original title [Efficacy and safety of a combined oral contraceptive containing drospirenone 3 mg and ethinylestradiol 20 µg in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a randomized, double blind placebo-controlled study] Authors Fu Y, Mi W, Li L et al. Journal Zhonghua fu chan ke za zhi Year 2014 Study design Randomised trial Participants 94 What was tested YAZ (drospirenone 3 mg and ethinylestradiol 20 µg) or placebo Read the paper [doi.org/10.3760/cma.j.issn.0529-567x.2014.07.007](https://doi.org/10.3760/cma.j.issn.0529-567x.2014.07.007) ## Topics [Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[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? Systematic review, 2023 How common are menstrual cycle problems and PMS or PMDD in female athletes? 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? Systematic review, 2021 Do birth control pills help with depression and other symptoms of PMS? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗