---
title: Do oral contraceptives help with premenstrual symptoms? | Niyora
description: Oral contraceptives may reduce premenstrual symptoms. Newer formulations with lower hormone levels appear most promising for severe symptoms.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/ovulation-suppression-of-premenstrual-symptoms-using-oral-contraceptives-2005/
---

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- Do oral contraceptives help with premenstrual symptoms?

Study, 2005

# Do oral contraceptives help with premenstrual symptoms?

Oral contraceptives may reduce premenstrual symptoms. Newer formulations with lower hormone levels appear most promising for severe symptoms.

 Early or limited evidence

This is a review article, not a study with specific participants.

## What they did

This article reviews how preventing ovulation with hormonal medications can reduce premenstrual symptoms. It compares different hormone types and formulations.

## What they found

Stopping ovulation with hormones can reduce premenstrual symptoms. Some older options like gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and danazol work but have significant side effects and are costly. Combination oral contraceptives are widely used. Newer types with lower hormone levels and shorter breaks between packs appear most helpful for severe premenstrual symptoms.

## What it means for you

Oral contraceptives are a practical option for managing premenstrual symptoms. Newer formulations with lower hormone levels may work better. This reviews existing approaches rather than testing one treatment in a new study. Some options have side effects that may limit their use.

## About the study

Original title Ovulation suppression of premenstrual symptoms using oral contraceptives Authors Sulak PJ Journal The American journal of managed care Year 2005 Study design Study What was tested Not applicable - this is a review of hormonal approaches. Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16336058/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16336058/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)

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.

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