Non-randomised trial, 2006
Does a drospirenone birth control pill improve premenstrual symptoms and wellbeing?
Yes, most women in this study reported a big improvement in premenstrual symptoms and their general wellbeing scores rose significantly after six cycles of taking this pill.
What they did
241 healthy women with premenstrual disorder symptoms who wanted contraception took a combined pill with ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms and drospirenone 3 mg for six menstrual cycles. 203 completed all six cycles and were assessed for how well it worked, while 236 were checked for side effects. Wellbeing was measured with a standard questionnaire.
What they found
General wellbeing scores were significantly higher after six cycles compared to the start. 198 women (84.2%) reported great improvement in premenstrual symptoms. Body weight and blood pressure did not change significantly, and side effects were the kind already known with this type of pill.
What it means for you
This pill appears to ease premenstrual symptoms and support wellbeing while providing reliable cycle control, with side effects similar to other birth control pills. There was no separate comparison group given a different treatment or a placebo, so the improvement cannot be fully separated from other possible influences.
84.2%
Reported great symptom improvement
203
Completed all six cycles
241
Total enrolled
About the study
- Original title
- Effect of a combination of ethinylestradiol 30 microg and drospirenone 3 mg on tolerance, cycle control, general well-being and fluid-related symptoms in women with premenstrual disorders requesting contraception
- Authors
- Borges LE, Andrade RP, Aldrighi JM et al.
- Journal
- Contraception
- Year
- 2006
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- Participants
- 241
- What was tested
- Combined oral contraceptive pill with ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms and drospirenone 3 mg, taken for six cycles
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2005.10.016
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