--- title: Which birth control pill better reduces PMS and menstrual symptoms: nomegestrol acetate or drospirenone? description: Nomegestrol acetate reduced more PMS and menstrual symptoms than drospirenone pills in this large study of 3522 women, though drospirenone was better for emot url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/comparative-analysis-of-the-effects-of-nomegestrol-acetate-17-estradiol-and-2015/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Which birth control pill better reduces PMS and menstrual symptoms: nomegestrol acetate or drospirenone? Randomised trial, 2015 # Which birth control pill better reduces PMS and menstrual symptoms: nomegestrol acetate or drospirenone? Nomegestrol acetate reduced more PMS and menstrual symptoms than drospirenone pills in this large study of 3522 women, though drospirenone was better for emotional arousal. Strong study design 3522 women using one of two birth control pills ## What they did Large randomized controlled trial with 3522 women using one of two birth control pills. Women filled out symptom questionnaires at the start and after completing 1, 3, 6, and 13 menstrual cycles. Researchers measured eight symptom categories. ## What they found Nomegestrol acetate users experienced significantly greater improvements in pain, water retention, negative affect, concentration problems, and behavior changes during the menstrual phase compared to drospirenone users. However, drospirenone was better for emotional arousal. Both pills improved cramps in women who had moderate to severe cramps at baseline (1779 women). ## What it means for you If you use birth control and have PMS, nomegestrol acetate may offer more symptom relief for mood and physical symptoms. However, discuss options with your doctor as other factors matter. This was a large study with long follow-up, making it fairly reliable. 3522 women in study 13 menstrual cycles measured 1779 women with moderate to severe cramps ## About the study Original title Comparative analysis of the effects of nomegestrol acetate/17 β-estradiol and drospirenone/ethinylestradiol on premenstrual and menstrual symptoms and dysmenorrhea Authors Witjes H, Creinin MD, Sundström-Poromaa I et al. Journal The European journal of contraception & reproductive health care : the official journal of the European Society of Contraception Year 2015 Study design Randomised trial Participants 3,522 What was tested Nomegestrol acetate/17β-estradiol or drospirenone/ethinylestradiol birth control pills Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/13625187.2015.1016154](https://doi.org/10.3109/13625187.2015.1016154) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[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. ## Related studies Study, 1993 Do birth control pills change PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2025 What are menstrual cycle patterns in elite female basketball players? Cohort study, 1994 Who finds cervical laser surgery painful? Cohort study, 2025 How common is PMS in Chinese teenage girls, and what factors are linked to it? Randomised trial, 2024 Does estetrol/drospirenone birth control improve PMS symptoms? Systematic review, 2023 What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗