---
title: Does drospirenone/ethinylestradiol birth control help PMDD symptoms?
description: Yes. This specific birth control pill significantly improved PMDD symptoms over three cycles and improved acne over six cycles while providing 99% contracepti
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/drospirenone-ethinylestradiol-3mg-20microg-24-4-day-regimen-a-review-of-its-use-2007/
---

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- Does drospirenone/ethinylestradiol birth control help PMDD symptoms?

Randomised trial, 2007

# Does drospirenone/ethinylestradiol birth control help PMDD symptoms?

Yes. This specific birth control pill significantly improved PMDD symptoms over three cycles and improved acne over six cycles while providing 99% contraceptive protection over one year.

 Moderate study design

Women taking the pill for contraception, PMDD, or acne

## What they did

Multiple randomized double-blind trials tested drospirenone 3mg with ethinylestradiol 20mcg (Yaz) in a 24-day active plus 4-day placebo regimen. PMDD symptoms were measured over three cycles and acne over six cycles.

## What they found

The pill provided 99% contraceptive effectiveness over one year. PMDD emotional and physical symptoms significantly improved over three treatment cycles. Moderate acne improved over six treatment cycles. It was well tolerated with side effects typical of other birth control pills, mostly in early cycles.

## What it means for you

This birth control can treat PMDD while providing contraception and acne relief. However, this is a review article summarizing multiple trials without stating individual trial sizes, so the strength of evidence for each finding varies.

99%

contraceptive effectiveness over 1 year

3

cycles to improve PMDD symptoms

6

cycles to improve acne

## About the study

Original title Drospirenone/ethinylestradiol 3mg/20microg (24/4 day regimen): a review of its use in contraception, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and moderate acne vulgaris Authors Fenton C, Wellington K, Moen MD et al. Journal Drugs Year 2007 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Drospirenone 3mg/ethinylestradiol 20mcg in 24/4 day regimen Read the paper [doi.org/10.2165/00003495-200767120-00007](https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-200767120-00007)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[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/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)

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

Randomised trial, 2008

Does drospirenone with ethinyl estradiol birth control help PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2003

What treatments work for PMS and PMDD?

Systematic review, 2013

Does Vitex (chaste tree) help PMS and PMDD symptoms?

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?

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