Randomised trial, 2017
Is continuous birth control pill dosing better than intermittent dosing for premenstrual dysphoria?
No. All three groups (placebo, intermittent pills, and continuous pills) improved similarly over 3 months, with no unique advantage shown for continuous dosing.
What they did
55 women with confirmed premenstrual dysphoria were randomly assigned to three groups for 3 months: 22 received placebo, 17 received drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol on a 21-7 schedule (21 days active pills, 7 days inactive), and 16 received continuous drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol. After a baseline assessment month, women in the medication groups completed the pill regimen for 3 months.
What they found
All three groups showed similar, substantial reductions in premenstrual symptoms over time. The placebo group improved as much as the medication groups, showing a strong placebo response.
What it means for you
Continuous birth control pills do not appear more effective than intermittent dosing for premenstrual dysphoria. The strong placebo effect suggests that women's expectations and belief in treatment play a major role. A larger study would help clarify these findings.
55
women with premenstrual dysphoria
3
months of treatment
22/17/16
women in placebo/intermittent/continuous groups
About the study
- Original title
- Treatment of premenstrual dysphoria with continuous versus intermittent dosing of oral contraceptives: Results of a three-arm randomized controlled trial
- Authors
- Eisenlohr-Moul TA, Girdler SS, Johnson JL et al.
- Journal
- Depression and anxiety
- Year
- 2017
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 22
- What was tested
- Continuous drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol vs intermittent (21-7 schedule) vs placebo for 3 months
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1002/da.22673
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