Randomised trial, 2001
Does an oral contraceptive with drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol treat PMDD?
The birth control pill showed signs of helping, especially with appetite, acne, and food cravings. However, most improvements were not statistically significant, and the study had limitations.
What they did
Double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial where 82 women with PMDD received either oral contraceptive (3 mg drospirenone and 30 micrograms ethinyl estradiol) or placebo for three treatment cycles. Researchers measured symptoms using standard questionnaires.
What they found
The pill group showed greater improvement than placebo on nearly all 22 symptom items tested. Only one symptom group reached statistical significance: appetite, acne, and food cravings (p = 0.027). Secondary mood measures showed similar trends but were not statistically significant.
What it means for you
This pill may help PMDD symptoms, but the study showed only weak evidence. Results suggest it may work for specific symptoms like food cravings but not clearly for mood symptoms.
82
women with PMDD
3
treatment cycles
0.027
p-value for appetite, acne, food cravings
About the study
- Original title
- Evaluation of a unique oral contraceptive in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Freeman EW, Kroll R, Rapkin A et al.
- Journal
- Journal of women's health & gender-based medicine
- Year
- 2001
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 82
- What was tested
- Oral contraceptive containing 3 mg drospirenone and 30 micrograms ethinyl estradiol
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1089/15246090152543148
Topics
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