Review, 2010
Does the EE/DRSP birth control pill with shorter placebo days reduce PMS symptoms?
The EE/DRSP pill with 24 days of hormones and 4 days of placebo appears to reduce PMS and withdrawal symptoms including mood changes, breast tenderness, headache and pelvic pain. The evidence comes from clinical trials but specific numbers of improvement are not given.
What they did
Review of oral contraceptive formulations, comparing the EE/DRSP 24+4 regimen to standard contraceptives.
What they found
EE/DRSP with a shorter hormone-free period reduced hormone fluctuations and withdrawal symptoms. Clinical trials showed improvements in premenstrual symptoms, acne, and excessive hair growth.
What it means for you
Reducing the number of placebo days may help PMS symptoms by keeping hormone levels more stable, but this is a review summarizing existing trials, not a new study with specific results.
24
Days with hormones (vs 21 standard)
4
Days with placebo (vs 7 standard)
3
Days longer hormone period than standard
About the study
- Original title
- [Extracontraceptive benefits of EE/DRSP (Yaz) in 24+4 day regimen]
- Authors
- Bruni Bresciani V
- Journal
- Minerva ginecologica
- Year
- 2010
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- EE/DRSP oral contraceptive in 24+4 day regimen
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20595950/
Topics
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