--- title: Does the oral contraceptive drospirenone help women with premenstrual symptoms? description: Yes, drospirenone 3 mg plus ethinyl estradiol 20 micrograms reduced premenstrual symptoms more than placebo and improved daily functioning, but it causes more url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/oral-contraceptives-containing-drospirenone-for-premenstrual-syndrome-2012/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does the oral contraceptive drospirenone help women with premenstrual symptoms? Systematic review, 2012 # Does the oral contraceptive drospirenone help women with premenstrual symptoms? Yes, drospirenone 3 mg plus ethinyl estradiol 20 micrograms reduced premenstrual symptoms more than placebo and improved daily functioning, but it causes more nausea, intermenstrual bleeding, and breast pain. Strong study design 1920 women with premenstrual symptoms or PMDD in 5 randomized controlled trials ## What they did Cochrane systematic review searching multiple databases through December 2011 for randomized controlled trials comparing oral contraceptives containing drospirenone to placebo or other contraceptives for premenstrual symptoms. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed study quality. ## What they found Five trials with 1920 women total. Two placebo-controlled trials in women with PMDD showed less severe premenstrual symptoms with drospirenone 3 mg plus ethinyl estradiol 20 micrograms compared to placebo (mean difference -7.92, 95% confidence interval -11.16 to -4.67 after 3 months). The drospirenone group had greater reductions in impairment of productivity (mean difference -0.31), social activities (mean difference -0.29), and relationships (mean difference -0.30). More common side effects with drospirenone were nausea (odds ratio 3.15), intermenstrual bleeding (odds ratio 4.92), and breast pain (odds ratio 2.67). ## What it means for you This oral contraceptive can reduce premenstrual symptoms significantly, including impacts on daily functioning like productivity, social activities, and relationships. However, it comes with notable side effects, particularly intermenstrual bleeding and nausea, which women should understand before starting treatment. 1920 Women across 5 trials -7.92 Symptom reduction vs placebo 4.92 Odds ratio for intermenstrual bleeding ## About the study Original title Oral contraceptives containing drospirenone for premenstrual syndrome Authors Lopez LM, Kaptein AA, Helmerhorst FM Journal The Cochrane database of systematic reviews Year 2012 Study design Systematic review What was tested Oral contraceptive containing drospirenone 3 mg plus ethinyl estradiol 20 micrograms Read the paper [doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd006586.pub4](https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd006586.pub4) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[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 ↗