--- title: Does a 24/4 birth control pill help women with PMDD improve work, relationship, and social functioning? description: Yes. The pill significantly improved problems at work, in relationships, and in social activities compared to placebo, with the greatest improvements appearin url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/ethinyl-estradiol-20g-drospirenone-3mg-24-4-oral-contraceptive-for-the-treatment-2011/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does a 24/4 birth control pill help women with PMDD improve work, relationship, and social functioning? Randomised trial, 2011 # Does a 24/4 birth control pill help women with PMDD improve work, relationship, and social functioning? Yes. The pill significantly improved problems at work, in relationships, and in social activities compared to placebo, with the greatest improvements appearing in the first cycle. Strong study design 232 women with PMDD receiving active medication (218 on placebo) in a randomized trial ## What they did This was a secondary analysis of a double-blind, randomized trial. 232 women received ethinyl estradiol 20 micrograms with drospirenone 3 mg in a 24/4 regimen (24 days of active pills, 4 days of inactive pills), and 218 women received placebo. Women completed daily symptom ratings for 3 cycles. ## What they found The pill group showed significant improvements compared to placebo in work functioning, relationship functioning, and social functioning. The greatest decreases appeared in cycle 1, with reductions of 47-48% across the three functional areas. Smaller additional improvements continued through cycle 3. ## What it means for you This birth control regimen appears effective at helping women with PMDD regain functioning in work, relationships, and social activities, with most benefit occurring in the first cycle. The study was large and well-designed, though results apply specifically to this pill regimen. 232 women with PMDD on active pill 218 women on placebo 47-48% functional improvement in cycle 1 ## About the study Original title Ethinyl estradiol 20μg/drospirenone 3mg 24/4 oral contraceptive for the treatment of functional impairment in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Marr J, Heinemann K, Kunz M et al. Journal International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics Year 2011 Study design Randomised trial Participants 232 What was tested Ethinyl estradiol 20 micrograms/drospirenone 3 mg in 24/4 regimen vs placebo for 3 cycles Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2010.10.029](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2010.10.029) ## 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/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/) 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 Review, 2026 What should doctors know about PMS and PMDD in teenagers? Study, 2008 How common is PMDD and how does it affect women's lives? Cohort study, 2024 Do women with severe premenstrual disorders have higher risk of relationship breakup? Randomised trial, 2023 Does taking sertraline when PMDD symptoms start improve how well women function? Systematic review, 2021 Are women with PMS or PMDD more likely to think about or attempt suicide? Review, 2009 What causes PMDD and what are the treatment options? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗