--- title: Is YAZ birth control safe and does it help PMDD? | Niyora description: YAZ is a birth control pill approved to prevent pregnancy, treat PMDD, and treat moderate acne. Large studies found it is safe with no increased risk of serio url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/yaz-and-the-novel-progestin-drospirenone-2008/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Is YAZ birth control safe and does it help PMDD? Study, 2008 # Is YAZ birth control safe and does it help PMDD? YAZ is a birth control pill approved to prevent pregnancy, treat PMDD, and treat moderate acne. Large studies found it is safe with no increased risk of serious blood complications compared to other birth control pills. Moderate study design Women using birth control, particularly those with PMDD or moderate acne ## What they did Describes YAZ, a birth control pill containing drospirenone 3 mg and ethinyl estradiol 20 micrograms, taken for 24 days followed by 4 days without hormones. Reports that two large studies evaluated its safety. ## What they found YAZ provides effective contraception and has a good safety profile. Large studies found no increased risk of high potassium levels or blood clots compared to other birth control pills. YAZ is approved for three uses: contraception, treatment of PMDD in women who want birth control, and treatment of moderate acne in women age 14 and older. ## What it means for you Women with PMDD who need birth control may be able to use YAZ, which could reduce both pregnancy risk and PMDD symptoms. Women with moderate acne who want contraception can also try YAZ. The pill has been studied in large groups and found to be safe. One limitation is the abstract does not report how much YAZ actually reduces PMDD symptoms, only that it is approved for this use. 3 mg Drospirenone dose in YAZ 20 micrograms Ethinyl estradiol dose in YAZ 24/4 Days of active pills followed by hormone-free days ## About the study Original title YAZ and the novel progestin drospirenone Authors Mishell DR Jr Journal The Journal of reproductive medicine Year 2008 Study design Study What was tested YAZ birth control pill (drospirenone 3 mg with ethinyl estradiol 20 micrograms, 24 days active followed by 4 days off) Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18980044/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18980044/) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/) 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 Study, 2022 What are the symptoms, causes, and treatments of PMS and PMDD? Cohort study, 2006 How should severe period pain in teenagers be treated? Systematic review, 2017 Does Vitex agnus castus help treat premenstrual syndrome? Systematic review, 2012 What medications work best for PMDD? Randomised trial, 2011 Does a birth control pill reduce negative emotions, food cravings, and water retention in women with PMDD? Review, 2009 What causes PMDD and what are the treatment options? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗