Randomised trial, 1992
Do different types of birth control pills work differently for PMS?
All three pills helped PMS symptoms compared to before treatment. The desogestrel pill caused less mood swings, while the triphasic pill caused fewer physical complaints.
What they did
A randomized, single-blind crossover study comparing three birth control pills (one monophasic desogestrel and two levonorgestrel pills: monophasic and triphasic) in 37 women with PMS or PMS-like symptoms. Women tracked symptoms for one cycle before treatment, then two cycles on each pill.
What they found
All pills improved PMS compared to the pre-treatment period. The monophasic desogestrel pill showed fewer changes in mood symptoms than both levonorgestrel pills. Physical complaints were reported less often with the triphasic pill than with the monophasic desogestrel pill.
What it means for you
Different birth control pills may have different effects on PMS symptoms, so if one doesn't work well, another might. The main limit is the small sample size and short duration of treatment testing (two cycles per pill).
37
women enrolled
32
completed study
2
cycles tested per pill
About the study
- Original title
- Oral contraceptives in premenstrual syndrome: a randomized comparison of triphasic and monophasic preparations
- Authors
- Bäckström T, Hansson-Malmström Y, Lindhe BA et al.
- Journal
- Contraception
- Year
- 1992
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 37
- What was tested
- Three birth control pills: monophasic desogestrel, monophasic levonorgestrel, and triphasic levonorgestrel
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0010-7824(92)90006-f
Topics
Related studies
Study, 2005
Do women with depression experience worsening of symptoms before their period?
Randomised trial, 2018
Does an oral contraceptive with drospirenone reduce premenstrual worsening of Meniere's disease?
Randomised trial, 2017
Does adding birth control to antidepressants help depression that worsens before your period?
Review, 2024
What do brain wave patterns show about PMS and PMDD?
Systematic review, 2024
What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS?
Systematic review, 2023
What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy?