Study, 2007
Can a certain birth control pill ease the emotional and physical symptoms of PMDD?
Yes. This combined birth control pill eased both the emotional and physical symptoms of PMDD, with the dosing pattern thought to play a role in why it worked.
What they did
This piece describes a combined birth control pill containing 20 microgram ethinyl estradiol and 3 mg of the progestin drospirenone. It is taken as 24 active pills followed by 4 placebo pills, a shorter hormone free break than older pill designs.
What they found
The pill eased both the emotional and physical symptoms of PMDD. Drospirenone acts differently from older progestins because it also has anti-androgenic and anti-aldosterone effects, and the shorter placebo break may allow better control over the body's own hormone production.
What it means for you
This kind of birth control pill may be a useful option for easing PMDD symptoms, including mood related ones. No information is given here about how many women were involved or for how long they used it, so it is hard to judge how strong this evidence is.
20 microg
Estrogen dose
3 mg
Drospirenone dose
24 active, 4 off
Pill schedule
About the study
- Original title
- Ethinyl estradiol/drospirenone for the treatment of the emotional and physical symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Rapkin AJ, McDonald M, Winer SA
- Journal
- Women's health (London, England)
- Year
- 2007
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- A combined birth control pill with 20 microgram ethinyl estradiol and 3 mg drospirenone, 24 active pills then 4 placebo pills
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.2217/17455057.3.4.395
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