Non-randomised trial, 2001
Does a new birth control pill reduce PMS symptoms?
Yes. In 322 women, after 6 cycles of this pill, negative mood and water retention during the premenstrual phase dropped significantly. However, this study had no control group, so we cannot be certain the pill itself caused the improvement rather than a placebo effect.
What they did
322 healthy women aged 18 to 35 took a birth control pill containing 30 μg ethinyl estradiol and 3 mg drospirenone for six menstrual cycles. They completed a 23-item symptom questionnaire at the start and after cycle 6, rating symptoms during the premenstrual, menstrual, and postmenstrual phases on a five-point scale.
What they found
At baseline, women reported higher symptom scores for negative mood, water retention, and poor concentration during the premenstrual and menstrual phases compared with the postmenstrual phase. After 6 cycles, premenstrual and menstrual scores for negative mood and water retention were reduced significantly (P <0.001) compared with baseline. Similar improvements appeared in both new users and those switching from other contraceptives. Impaired concentration scores did not improve significantly.
What it means for you
This birth control pill may help mood and water retention symptoms of PMS. The main limitation is that the study had no control group, so we cannot rule out placebo effect or natural improvement over time. The authors themselves called for a controlled trial in women with more severe PMS symptoms to confirm these findings.
322
women studied
6
treatment cycles
P <0.001
significance level for improvement
About the study
- Original title
- Effect of a new monophasic oral contraceptive on perimenstrual symptoms
- Authors
- Candace Brown
- Journal
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Year
- 2001
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- Participants
- 322
- What was tested
- Birth control pill with 30 μg ethinyl estradiol and 3 mg drospirenone for six cycles
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0029-7844(01)01151-6
Topics
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