Non-randomised trial, 2002
Does birth control containing drospirenone reduce premenstrual symptoms?
In this study, birth control containing drospirenone (3 mg) reduced mood-related symptoms and water retention by the sixth cycle. Without a control group, we cannot be certain these improvements were caused by the pill rather than placebo effect.
What they did
326 healthy women aged 18-35 took drospirenone (3 mg) plus ethinyl estradiol (30 micrograms) for 13 menstrual cycles. They completed a 23-item symptom questionnaire at the start and at the end of cycle 6 to track changes in premenstrual symptoms.
What they found
By the end of cycle 6, premenstrual and menstrual negative mood and water retention were significantly reduced. Increased appetite during the premenstrual and menstrual phases also improved. Impaired concentration did not significantly improve, and feelings of well-being and undesirable hair changes did not change much.
What it means for you
Birth control containing drospirenone may help improve mood and reduce water retention for women experiencing premenstrual changes who also want contraception. The main limitation is the lack of a control or placebo group. Improvements might occur with any consistent treatment or even without treatment.
326
women enrolled
13
menstrual cycles of treatment
6
cycle when improvements measured
About the study
- Original title
- A new monophasic oral contraceptive containing drospirenone. Effect on premenstrual symptoms
- Authors
- Brown C, Ling F, Wan J
- Journal
- The Journal of reproductive medicine
- Year
- 2002
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- Participants
- 326
- What was tested
- Drospirenone 3 mg + ethinyl estradiol 30 micrograms for 13 cycles
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11838304/
Topics
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