---
title: Does starting or stopping birth control pills change premenstrual symptoms?
description: Starting birth control pills reduced physical PMS symptoms but had no effect on mood symptoms. Stopping the pills did not change either type of symptom.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/changes-in-premenstrual-symptoms-in-women-starting-or-discontinuing-use-of-oral-2019/
---

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- Does starting or stopping birth control pills change premenstrual symptoms?

Non-randomised trial, 2019

# Does starting or stopping birth control pills change premenstrual symptoms?

Starting birth control pills reduced physical PMS symptoms but had no effect on mood symptoms. Stopping the pills did not change either type of symptom.

 Early or limited evidence

24 healthy women (19 completed) without a history of PMDD

## What they did

19 women completed daily ratings of physical and mood symptoms during a normal menstrual cycle and while taking low-dose birth control pills.

## What they found

Starting oral contraceptives significantly decreased premenstrual physical symptoms but did not affect mood symptoms. Discontinuing the pills produced no significant changes in either physical or mood symptoms.

## What it means for you

Birth control may help with physical PMS symptoms like cramping or bloating, but not emotional symptoms. The study was small with no control group, so results need confirmation.

24

women enrolled

19

women who completed

21/7

pill regimen (days on, then off)

## About the study

Original title Changes in premenstrual symptoms in women starting or discontinuing use of oral contraceptives Authors Ekenros L, Bäckström T, Hirschberg AL et al. Journal Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology Year 2019 Study design Non-randomised trial What was tested Low-dose monophasic oral contraceptive pills (21/7 regimen) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2018.1534097](https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2018.1534097)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-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.

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