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.
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
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