Non-randomised trial, 2006
Do extended-cycle birth control pills reduce premenstrual symptoms compared to regular pills?
Yes. Women taking extended-cycle pills (periods only 4 times a year) had significantly fewer premenstrual-type symptoms, with the greatest improvement in women who had the most severe cyclic mood changes on regular pills.
What they did
114 women took a standard 21-day-on/7-day-off birth control pill for one cycle, then switched to taking the same pill continuously for 168 days with only one brief hormone-free break. Researchers measured mood and symptoms daily using two rating scales throughout both periods.
What they found
111 women completed the standard 21/7 phase. Symptoms and mood peaked during the 7-day hormone-free interval in standard cycles. 102 women completed the 168-day extended phase (92% completion rate). Premenstrual-type symptoms decreased significantly during the extended regimen compared to standard 21/7 cycles. The greatest improvement appeared in the sixth month. Women with the largest cyclic mood variation on standard pills showed the most improvement on extended pills. 54% of women had marked cyclic mood changes during the 21/7 regimen.
What it means for you
Taking birth control continuously or nearly continuously may reduce premenstrual-type symptoms, especially for women whose symptoms vary a lot with their cycle. Symptoms improve mainly in later months of continuous dosing. The study did not use a placebo comparison group.
114
Women who began the study
102
Women who completed extended phase
168 days
Duration of extended regimen
About the study
- Original title
- Oral contraceptives and premenstrual symptoms: comparison of a 21/7 and extended regimen
- Authors
- Coffee AL, Kuehl TJ, Willis S et al.
- Journal
- American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
- Year
- 2006
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- Participants
- 114
- What was tested
- Switch from 21/7 to 168-day extended pill regimen
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2006.05.012
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