Non-randomised trial, 2015
Does this birth control pill help premenstrual symptoms in Japanese women?
Yes, in this study of 48 Japanese women, most premenstrual symptoms improved significantly after 3 and 6 cycles of treatment. The study had no comparison group, so we cannot be fully certain of the effect.
What they did
Open-label study of 48 Japanese women with dysmenorrhea and premenstrual symptoms. They took a combined birth control pill with ethinylestradiol 20 µg and drospirenone 3 mg in a 24/4 regimen for 6 treatment cycles. Symptoms were measured at baseline and after 3 and 6 cycles.
What they found
Most premenstrual symptoms were significantly alleviated by three and six cycles of treatment. The birth control pill also significantly improved the severity of dysmenorrhea.
What it means for you
This birth control pill combination may help women in Japan who have PMS and period pain. The main limitation is that this was an open-label study with no control group for comparison.
48
women treated
6
treatment cycles
20 µg
ethinylestradiol dose
About the study
- Original title
- Effectiveness of ethinylestradiol/drospirenone for premenstrual symptoms in Japanese patients with dysmenorrhea: Open-label pilot study
- Authors
- Takeda T, Kondo A, Koga S et al.
- Journal
- The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
- Year
- 2015
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- What was tested
- Ethinylestradiol 20 µg plus drospirenone 3 mg in 24/4 regimen for 6 treatment cycles
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/jog.12774
Topics
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