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.
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
Topics
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