---
title: Does a birth control pill with drospirenone improve severe PMS or PMDD?
description: Yes. Symptom scores dropped dramatically from an average of 24.6 to 7.2 after 3 to 4 months of treatment, with significant improvement in women whether or not
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-efficiency-of-oral-contraception-containing-drospirenone-in-treating-2010/
---

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- Does a birth control pill with drospirenone improve severe PMS or PMDD?

Non-randomised trial, 2010

# Does a birth control pill with drospirenone improve severe PMS or PMDD?

Yes. Symptom scores dropped dramatically from an average of 24.6 to 7.2 after 3 to 4 months of treatment, with significant improvement in women whether or not they had used contraception before.

 Early or limited evidence

51 women aged 15-44 years (average 25.7) with severe PMS or PMDD

## What they did

Retrospective observation of 51 women aged 15 to 44 years (average 25.7) identified as having severe PMS or PMDD. Some (28) were not on contraception at baseline, while others (23) switched from different pills. All took a pill with 20 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 3 milligrams of drospirenone in a 24/4 regimen for 3 to 4 months.

## What they found

Average symptom score across all 51 women decreased from 24.6 to 7.2. In women without prior contraception, scores dropped from 24.9 to 8.2. In women switching pills, scores fell from 24.3 to 6.0. Both groups showed significant decreases.

## What it means for you

This birth control pill appears to significantly reduce severe PMS or PMDD symptoms. However, without a control group for comparison and with no randomization, we cannot be completely certain the pill caused the improvement.

51

Women studied

24.6 to 7.2

Average symptom score

3-4 months

Treatment duration

## About the study

Original title [The efficiency of oral contraception containing drospirenone in treating symptoms of premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual dysphoric disorder in gyneacology practice] Authors Svojanovská K Journal Ceska gynekologie Year 2010 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 51 What was tested Oral contraceptive with 20 micrograms ethinylestradiol and 3 milligrams drospirenone (24/4 regimen) for 3-4 months Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21374928/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21374928/)

## 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/)

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