--- title: Does a nomegestrol acetate oral contraceptive help mood symptoms in PMDD? description: Most women (74.5%) reported improved mood, and depression, anxiety, and stress scores improved significantly. This was an early feasibility study without a co url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/pilot-data-on-the-feasibility-and-clinical-outcomes-of-a-nomegestrol-acetate-2021/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does a nomegestrol acetate oral contraceptive help mood symptoms in PMDD? Randomised trial, 2021 # Does a nomegestrol acetate oral contraceptive help mood symptoms in PMDD? Most women (74.5%) reported improved mood, and depression, anxiety, and stress scores improved significantly. This was an early feasibility study without a control group, so we need stronger evidence. Early or limited evidence Women with PMDD at an Australian psychiatry clinic; 67% had concurrent PTSD, 29% anxiety, 20% depression. ## What they did Researchers at an Australian psychiatry clinic invited women previously diagnosed with PMDD to take a nomegestrol acetate and 17-beta estradiol oral contraceptive. Participants completed the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale questionnaire before starting the pill and again after treatment. ## What they found 35 women (74.5%) reported a positive mood response; 31 (63.3%) continued taking the pill; 10 (20.4%) stopped due to side effects; overall depression, anxiety and stress scores improved significantly (p<0.05). ## What it means for you This pill may help mood symptoms in PMDD, but it's very early evidence. The study had no control group, 67% of women had PTSD, and the researchers themselves say a proper randomized trial is needed. Results may not apply to all women with PMDD. 74.5% reported improved mood 63.3% continued taking the pill 20.4% stopped due to side effects ## About the study Original title Pilot Data on the Feasibility And Clinical Outcomes of a Nomegestrol Acetate Oral Contraceptive Pill in Women With Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Authors Robertson E, Thew C, Thomas N et al. Journal Frontiers in endocrinology Year 2021 Study design Randomised trial Participants 21 What was tested Nomegestrol acetate (2.5 mg) and 17-beta estradiol (1.5 mg) oral contraceptive. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.704488](https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.704488) Original abstract Background: Up to 80% of reproductive-aged women experience premenstrual symptoms. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe form, affecting 2-5% of women. Combined oral contraceptive pills (COCPs) are used in the treatment of PMDD. Clinical practice suggests that a newer COCP containing nomegestrol acetate (2.5mg) and 17-beta estradiol (1.5mg), may be a suitable treatment for mood symptoms in PMDD. Materials and methods: This was a clinical follow-up feasibility study of women who had attended the Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre, Women's Mental Health Clinic, with a diagnosis of PMDD. 67% of the sample also had concurrent cPTSD, 29% co-morbid anxiety, and 20% depression. They were recommended treatment with nomegestrol acetate/17-beta estradiol. Eligible women were contacted by telephone to answer a questionnaire to assess women's subjective response to nomegestrol acetate/17-beta estradiol, acceptability and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) after being recommended nomegestrol acetate/17-beta estradiol. The paired-sample t-test was used to determine if there were any statistically significant differences in the DASS-21 scores over the study observation period (before and after taking nomegestrol acetate/17-beta estradiol). Results: 35 (74.5%) women reported a subjective positive mood response to nomegestrol acetate/17-beta estradiol, 31 (63.3%) adhered to the medication, and only 10 (20.4%) women reported side effects as the main reason for discontinuing nomegestrol acetate/17-beta estradiol. There were statistically significant reductions ( p 0.05) in the overall DASS-21 scores from before women commenced nomegestrol acetate/17-beta estradiol and after commencement of treatment. Conclusions: This preliminary study supports the acceptability and effectiveness of nomegestrol acetate/17-beta estradiol as a treatment for mood symptoms in PMDD. Further research, particularly a randomized controlled trial, is required to elucidate the effect of nomegestrol acetate/17-beta estradiol treatment on mood in PMDD. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## 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/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/) 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 Survey study, 2019 Can birth control pills treat PMDD? Systematic review, 2008 What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD? Randomised trial, 2003 What treatments work for PMS and PMDD? Survey study, 2023 Is PMDD diagnosis associated with more severe depression and anxiety and lower well-being? Systematic review, 2017 Do estrogen patches or gels help control PMS symptoms? Randomised trial, 2017 Does Sepranolone reduce symptoms of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMDD)? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗