--- title: Oral contraceptives and drospirenone: 490 studies, explained | Niyora description: 490 studies on oral contraceptives and drospirenone and PMS or PMDD, each summarised in plain English: what was tested, who took part, what they found and wha url: https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Oral contraceptives and drospirenone # Oral contraceptives and drospirenone: what the research says 490 studies on oral contraceptives and drospirenone in PMS and PMDD, each explained in plain English. 54 of them use the strongest designs: randomised trials and systematic reviews. Survey study 151 Randomised trial 65 Study 62 Review 61 Cohort study 50 Non-randomised trial 31 Systematic review, 2026 Does continuous paroxetine or birth control work better for PMDD? Both antidepressants and birth control pills are effective for PMDD. Continuous paroxetine (an antidepressant) and DROS/EE 24/4 (a specific birth control) showed the strongest effects in studies reviewed, though the evidence comes from relatively few studies. Cohort study, 2026 Does sleeping longer improve mood and fitness in elite athletes? Yes. Sleeping longer was linked to better mood and fitness across all athletes, regardless of menstrual cycle status. Sleeping less than 8 hours was linked to below-average mood and fitness. Randomised trial, 2025 Does mood, well-being, and sexual function change across the menstrual cycle? No, there were no meaningful changes in sexual function, mood, or well-being across menstrual cycle phases in healthy young women. Being in a stable relationship predicted better sexual function overall, but cycle phase did not. Cohort study, 2025 Are irregular menstrual cycles linked to lower thinking and memory skills in middle-aged women? Yes. Women with irregular cycles at ages 29-46 and women with very short cycles (25 days or less) at ages 18-22 both had slightly lower memory scores later in life. Randomised trial, 2024 Does estetrol/drospirenone birth control improve PMS symptoms? Yes. Women who started this birth control experienced significant improvements in pain, bloating, and negative mood symptoms. Women already on other birth control saw minimal improvements. Systematic review, 2024 What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS? SSRIs (antidepressants) and combined oral contraceptives (birth control pills) have the strongest evidence. For difficult cases, GnRH agonists and surgery work. Some alternatives like acupuncture and yoga show promise but need better quality research. Review, 2024 What are the most effective treatments for PMDD? According to this literature review, SSRIs (antidepressants) and cognitive-behavioral therapy are the most commonly recommended first-line treatments. Birth control pills with drospirenone are also effective. Systematic review, 2023 What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy? Hormonal treatments have been tested 56 times for premenstrual mood disorder, 21 times for menstrual migraine, and 8 times for catamenial epilepsy. Combined oral contraceptives were a frequent focus. Systematic review, 2023 How common are menstrual cycle problems and PMS or PMDD in female athletes? Menstrual cycle problems are common in female athletes, with dysmenorrhoea affecting about 32%. More athletes report symptoms during their period than in the days before. Guideline, 2023 How are GnRH agonists used to treat PMDD that doesn't respond to standard medications? GnRH agonists combined with hormone replacement are effective for severe PMDD that doesn't respond to first-line treatments, but many doctors don't know how to use this option. Systematic review, 2022 What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS? SSRIs (antidepressants) and combined oral contraceptives (birth control pills) have the strongest evidence. For difficult cases, GnRH agonists and surgery work. Some alternatives like acupuncture and yoga show promise but need better quality research. Cohort study, 2022 Can hormonal contraceptives or antidepressants reduce suicide risk in premenstrual disorders? Hormonal contraceptives, especially combined pills, are associated with lower suicide risk. Antidepressants are associated with higher suicide risk, though this may reflect that sicker women used them. Systematic review, 2021 Do birth control pills help with depression and other symptoms of PMS? Birth control pills help reduce overall PMS symptoms but not depression specifically. No particular pill is more effective than others. Review, 2020 How do reproductive hormones affect the brain and behavior during the menstrual cycle? Reproductive hormones like estradiol and progesterone change significantly during the menstrual cycle and affect mood, thinking, perception, and behavior through effects on the brain. The same applies to hormones in oral contraceptives. Randomised trial, 2020 Does adding fluoxetine to birth control pills help with severe PMS? Yes. Adding fluoxetine to birth control pills helped more women with severe PMS than pills alone. In the final month, 65% of women taking both improved, versus 50% on pills alone. Systematic review, 2020 How common is PMS among women of reproductive age in Ethiopia? PMS is very common. About 53% of women of reproductive age have it. Age at first period, menstrual pattern, and hormonal contraceptive use were not significantly associated with PMS. Systematic review, 2020 Does Vitex agnus-castus help cyclic breast pain? Vitex appears moderately effective for reducing cyclic breast pain compared to placebo, works as well as some medications, and is safe with minimal side effects. Review, 2018 What are the most effective treatments for premenstrual syndrome and PMDD? Serotonin reuptake inhibitors and contraceptives with shortened or no hormone-free interval are the most effective treatments. Some women who do not respond may benefit from GnRH agonist treatment. Review, 2018 What causes PMS and PMDD, and how are they treated? PMS affects 30-40% of women and is likely caused by sensitivity to normal hormone changes and neurotransmitter problems. Treatment includes antidepressants, birth control pills, counseling, and lifestyle changes. Randomised trial, 2017 Does the combined oral contraceptive pill affect mood? Yes, but effects vary by cycle phase. The pill causes small increases in anxiety and irritability between periods but improves depression in the days before menstruation. Review, 2017 What causes PMDD and what are the best treatments? PMDD involves an abnormal response to normal hormone changes affecting the serotonin system and brain circuits that control emotion. SSRIs are the first-line treatment, with several other options available. Systematic review, 2017 Does Vitex agnus castus help treat premenstrual syndrome? The meta-analysis found a large pooled effect of Vitex agnus castus compared to placebo, but the included studies have significant quality problems, publication bias, and very different results from each other, so we cannot confidently say it truly works. Randomised trial, 2015 Which birth control pill better reduces PMS and menstrual symptoms: nomegestrol acetate or drospirenone? Nomegestrol acetate reduced more PMS and menstrual symptoms than drospirenone pills in this large study of 3522 women, though drospirenone was better for emotional arousal. Review, 2015 Do hormonal contraceptives have benefits beyond preventing pregnancy? Yes. Combined oral contraceptives can reduce heavy periods, anemia, and PMDD symptoms. Several other contraceptive methods also offer additional health benefits. Systematic review, 2015 What are the effects of continuous hormonal treatments for premenstrual syndrome? The systematic overview evaluated continuous combined oral contraceptives, continuous transdermal estradiol, and continuous subcutaneous estradiol implants, but the abstract does not specify the efficacy results for each treatment. Review, 2015 What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated? PMS affects 30 to 40 percent of reproductive-age women and PMDD affects 3 to 8 percent. Serotonergic antidepressants are the most effective treatment, but oral contraceptives, lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, and herbal supplements are also available options. Cohort study, 2015 Do women with PMS have a higher risk of developing hypertension later? Yes, women with PMS had 1.4 times higher risk of developing hypertension, with 3.3 times higher risk before age 40. This prospective study with long follow-up provides strong evidence. Systematic review, 2014 Do estrogen and progesterone change how the brain processes emotions and decisions? Yes. These hormones affect which brain areas activate when women process emotions and make decisions, particularly in areas involved in mood and choice-making. The specific pattern varies by hormone level and person. Randomised trial, 2014 What treatments work best for PMS? Both conventional medicines and herbal remedies can help PMS. The birth control pill drosperinone with ethinylestradiol showed great improvement in clinical trials, and micronutrients and herbs were also found effective. Case-control study, 2014 How common is severe period pain and what causes it? Period pain affects 16% to 91% of women of reproductive age, with severe pain in 2% to 29%. It's less common as women age, after having children, and when using birth control pills, but more common with stress or family history of it. Randomised trial, 2012 Does continuous birth control help women with PMDD? Continuous birth control pills reduced PMDD symptoms more than placebo. About 52% of women on the pill improved by at least half, compared to 40% on placebo. Systematic review, 2012 Does the oral contraceptive drospirenone help women with premenstrual symptoms? Yes, drospirenone 3 mg plus ethinyl estradiol 20 micrograms reduced premenstrual symptoms more than placebo and improved daily functioning, but it causes more nausea, intermenstrual bleeding, and breast pain. Systematic review, 2012 What medications work best for PMDD? The abstract does not include findings or results, so no conclusion can be drawn from it. Randomised trial, 2012 Do hysterectomy or hormonal IUDs reduce premenstrual symptoms in women with heavy periods? Both treatments significantly reduced premenstrual symptoms by 6 months with similar effectiveness. However, the study involved women treated for heavy periods, not those specifically diagnosed with PMS. Randomised trial, 2011 Does a 24/4 birth control pill help women with PMDD improve work, relationship, and social functioning? Yes. The pill significantly improved problems at work, in relationships, and in social activities compared to placebo, with the greatest improvements appearing in the first cycle. Randomised trial, 2011 Does a birth control pill reduce negative emotions, food cravings, and water retention in women with PMDD? Yes, the pill significantly reduced all three symptom clusters compared to placebo in all three treatment cycles. The greatest improvements happened in the first cycle. Survey study, 2011 Is premenstrual syndrome related to major depression? Yes. Women with moderate to severe PMS are significantly more likely to have depression (11.3% to 24.6% depending on PMS severity). Women with both conditions are more severely impaired than those with either alone. Randomised trial, 2010 What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome? Several treatments reduce PMS symptoms according to controlled studies: SSRIs, some birth control pills, hormone injections, calcium, chasteberry, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. However, about 40% of women don't respond to current treatments. Randomised trial, 2009 Does Yasmin birth control reduce PMS symptoms better than another pill? Yes. Yasmin reduced water retention, improved breast tenderness, and improved skin problems more than desogestrel pill. Both prevented pregnancy well. Review, 2009 What causes PMDD and what are the treatment options? PMDD affects an estimated 5-8% of women and causes severe mood and physical symptoms. The cause involves individual sensitivity to hormonal changes. Treatments include serotonin antidepressants, medications that stop ovulation, and certain newer birth control pills. Randomised trial, 2008 Does drospirenone with ethinyl estradiol birth control help PMDD? This birth control formulation is the only hormone-based option with large randomized controlled trials proving it works for PMDD and has FDA approval for this use. Systematic review, 2008 Does birth control with drospirenone help premenstrual symptoms? Birth control containing drospirenone plus low-dose estrogen may reduce PMDD symptoms after 3 months, but the improvement is modest and the placebo also helped significantly. Randomised trial, 2008 How well do SSRIs and birth control pills actually work for severe PMS? SSRIs and birth control pills help some women but not as many as commonly reported. After accounting for placebo effect, approximately 40% of women with severe PMS still don't respond to SSRIs. Review, 2008 What medications are FDA-approved for treating PMDD? Three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, a type of antidepressant) and a low-dose birth control pill containing drospirenone are FDA-approved for PMDD. SSRIs can be taken just during the two weeks before menstruation. Systematic review, 2007 What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome? Many treatments have been studied for PMS, but researchers face a major challenge: there is no standard way to measure symptom severity, making it difficult to know which treatments truly work. Randomised trial, 2005 Does a low-dose birth control pill with drospirenone help PMDD? Yes, the pill reduced symptoms significantly more than placebo. On average, 8 women need to take it for 1 to experience major improvement (50% symptom reduction). Randomised trial, 2004 Which low-dose birth control pill has better cycle control and fewer side effects? Both pills equally reduced period pain and PMS. One type (with desogestrel) had more stable bleeding patterns and less acne than the other (with levonorgestrel). Both were well tolerated overall. Randomised trial, 2003 What treatments work for PMS and PMDD? Several treatments work. Non-drug options include cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise, and supplements like calcium and magnesium. Many studies support SSRIs (taken daily or only before menstruation). Hormonal treatments that stop ovulation also help. Study, 2002 Which PMS treatments have good scientific evidence? Calcium at 1200 mg daily and certain antidepressants have good evidence of working. Many popular treatments like vitamin B6, evening primrose oil, and birth control pills lack strong evidence. Some treatments like progesterone do not work. Randomised trial, 1999 Does calcium reduce PMS symptoms? Yes, this large study of 497 women found that calcium supplementation reduced PMS symptoms during the luteal and menstrual phases. This is strong evidence from a well-designed trial. Review, 1999 Does vitamin B6 supplement help treat PMS symptoms? Yes, vitamin B6 is beneficial for treating premenstrual syndrome according to a systematic review of published studies. However, the abstract does not provide specific details about the magnitude of benefit. Randomised trial, 1998 Does taking calcium supplements reduce PMS symptoms? Yes. In this large trial, women who took calcium carbonate had much lower PMS symptom scores than women who took a placebo, with symptoms down 48% versus 30% by the third month. Cohort study, 1993 How common are premenstrual and menstrual symptoms in women? Menstrual symptoms are very common in women in the community and increase with age. Women with anxiety are more likely to report menstrual problems. Randomised trial, 1981 Do oral contraceptives help reduce premenstrual symptoms? Yes. Birth control pills reduced premenstrual tension symptoms in most age groups, except in 18-year-olds where they showed little or no benefit. Survey study, 2026 What are the causes, diagnosis, and treatments for PMS and PMDD? This review consolidates what doctors know about PMS and PMDD. PMS affects 12-98% of reproductive-age women and PMDD affects 2-5%. Treatments range from lifestyle changes, therapy, and vitamins to medications like SSRIs and oral contraceptives. Review, 2026 How should doctors diagnose and treat PMDD? Doctors can treat PMDD with antidepressants (SSRIs) or birth control pills. The main challenge is that diagnosis is often difficult and delayed, especially for women with other mental health conditions. Case-control study, 2026 Are women with PMS history more likely to experience side-effects from birth control pills? Women with a history of PMS were 2.5 times more likely to stop the birth control pill due to side-effects, and those with anxiety or mood disorders were also at higher risk. Mood disorders were the most common reported side-effect. Survey study, 2026 Are women who feel mood changes from birth control pills at higher risk for PMDD and postpartum depression? Yes. Women who reported mood problems from the pill were 3.78 times more likely to have PMDD and 1.66 times more likely to have depression after childbirth, though genetic factors and depression history also matter. Study, 2026 What treatments work for PMDD? SSRIs (a type of antidepressant) and certain types of birth control are the main first-line treatments. New treatments targeting brain chemistry are being developed. Survey study, 2026 How common is PMS in female medical students and how much does it affect their daily life? About two-thirds experience common symptoms like fatigue and mood swings. PMS affects emotional well-being in 34.5%, social interactions in 22.3%, and school performance in 21.5%, but most students avoid seeing doctors. Cohort study, 2026 Does a birth control pill with estetrol and drospirenone help PMS? Yes. Over 3 months, this combination birth control significantly improved PMS symptoms and hormone levels. Non-hormonal therapy also helped but had smaller effects. Study, 2026 Does menstrual cycle phase affect how stressed women feel during exercise or their athletic performance? Menstrual cycle phase affects emotional state and how hard exercise feels, but does not affect measures of physical strength or athletic ability. This is a moderate-sized study. Cohort study, 2026 Does recreational exercise affect menstrual health and PMS risk? No. The study found no meaningful link between exercise amount or intensity and PMS in 719 recreational exercisers. Higher light activity had a tiny association with irregular periods. Survey study, 2026 Do women with ADHD and autism have more premenstrual problems than women without these conditions? Yes, women with ADHD and autism have significantly more premenstrual problems than women without these conditions, with equal severity in both groups. Premenstrual symptoms are linked to traits like inattention and social difficulties. Survey study, 2025 Do menstrual problems and poor sleep affect mood and thinking in teenage girls? Yes. Clear links exist between menstrual pain or PMS symptoms and anxiety, depression, and social problems in adolescent girls. Sleep also matters. Girls with later bedtimes or shorter sleep plus pain had worse mood and thinking problems. Survey study, 2025 Does hormonal contraception affect PMDD? Yes, hormonal contraception can affect PMDD, but the effects vary by person and medication. We can't be certain which contraception works best for each woman because more research is needed. Study, 2025 Do combined oral contraceptives help treat PMS and PMDD? Combined oral contraceptives are considered one treatment option for PMS and PMDD because they contain hormones that affect the system controlling hormone production. The review doesn't provide specific data on how well they work. Review, 2025 Does hormonal birth control affect mood and depression? Some types of hormonal birth control increase depression risk for some women, while others may actually decrease it. Age when you start and your mental health history are important factors in whether birth control will affect your mood. Cohort study, 2025 How do menstrual cycle phase and birth control type affect sleep and training readiness? All female endurance athletes reported higher symptom severity during bleeding days and lower sleep quality and training readiness before menstruation, with some differences by birth control type. These patterns held for both pill and non-pill users. Case-control study, 2025 Do women with eating disorders experience more menstrual distress, and does birth control help? Yes, women with eating disorders reported significantly more menstrual distress than healthy women across all symptoms measured. Birth control reduced distress only in those with milder eating disorder symptoms, not in those with more severe symptoms. Survey study, 2025 How do PMS and PMDD affect work performance, and do birth control pills help? PMDD most substantially increased the risk of work problems. Birth control pills significantly reduced work problems only for PMDD, not for PMS. Cohort study, 2025 How does mood and personality change across the menstrual cycle? Findings differ between study types. The diary study found similar mood patterns in naturally cycling and contraceptive-using women, with only minor differences. The laboratory study found clear increases in negative mood and anxiety before the period, and decreases in positive mood. Study, 2025 What causes PMS and what are the main treatment options? The exact cause of PMS is still unknown, but inflammation and oxidative stress may be involved. Treatment typically involves lifestyle changes, vitamin and mineral support, herbal medicine, and medications, with drospirenone-containing contraceptives being the first choice. Review, 2025 How does progesterone affect mood and brain function? Progesterone influences how your brain processes emotions and manages stress. In women with PMDD, targeting progesterone receptors can improve mood symptoms before your period. Cohort study, 2024 Do SSRIs or birth control pills work better for moderate to severe PMS? Both SSRIs and combined oral contraceptive pills significantly improved symptoms. SSRIs were slightly better for psychological symptoms, but both treatments worked similarly overall. Case-control study, 2024 Does PMS affect leg muscle strength? Yes. Women with PMS showed significantly decreased leg muscle endurance and higher heart rate and blood pressure during the premenstrual phase compared to the postmenstrual phase. Study, 2024 Does emotion regulation change during your menstrual cycle or with birth control? Yes, but it depends on whether you use birth control. Women with natural cycles showed less brain response to negative emotions in the second half of their cycle compared to the first half, while women using birth control pills or IUDs showed sustained responses. Survey study, 2024 What attitudes do women have about menstruation and what affects these attitudes? Women view their periods as natural, bothersome, or shameful depending on their personal history and current experiences, including how they felt at menarche, menstrual pain, contraceptive use, body image, and comfort with sexuality. Randomised trial, 2024 What causes PMS and PMDD and how are they treated? PMS and PMDD happen when hormone changes interact with brain chemicals during the menstrual cycle. Treatments include birth control pills, progesterone, SSRIs (a type of antidepressant), and hormone injections for severe cases, though some treatments still need proof from rigorous trials. Survey study, 2024 What factors are linked to PMS in school-age girls? 22% of these Ethiopian school students had PMS. Heavy coffee drinking and sleep problems were the strongest risk factors, while exercise was protective. Results are from one city in Ethiopia. Lab study, 2023 Does sleep change across the menstrual cycle? No clear difference in healthy women. Objective sleep measurements remained stable across the menstrual cycle. Women approaching menopause reported feeling they slept worse overall compared to younger women, though their actual sleep duration was similar. Survey study, 2023 Is PMDD diagnosis associated with more severe depression and anxiety and lower well-being? Yes. Women with probable PMDD had significantly higher depression and anxiety symptoms and lower well-being compared to those without PMDD, regardless of their menstrual cycle phase. Randomised trial, 2023 Does drospirenone birth control help PMS symptoms? Drospirenone birth control may modestly improve PMS symptoms and reduce problems with work and relationships, but the evidence is weak and it may cause more side effects leading women to stop taking it. Cohort study, 2023 What causes premenstrual syndrome and dysphoric disorder, and what are the best treatments? This review finds that PMS and PMDD involve hormonal fluctuations and brain chemistry changes, particularly serotonin and GABA. Current treatments (SSRIs and oral contraceptives) help some women but not all, and the exact causes remain unknown. Survey study, 2023 How common is PMS in high school girls and what helps them cope? PMS was found in 41.2% of high school girls. The most common coping strategies were visiting health clinics (42.6%), listening to music (40.0%), and taking showers (38.0%). Girls with family history or using hormonal birth control were more likely to have PMS. Survey study, 2022 Do female athletes get enough knowledge and support about their period? No. Most lack knowledge and rarely discuss menstrual health with coaches. 81% said it is taboo in sports. Survey study, 2022 Do menstrual cycles and birth control affect female athletes' training and performance? Most female athletes experience menstrual symptoms like period pain and premenstrual syndrome that affect how they perceive their performance. Only 18% plan their training around these issues. Cohort study, 2021 How does the menstrual cycle affect how quickly teenage girls fall asleep? Yes. Teenage girls took longer to fall asleep when they had PMS. They fell asleep faster if they were 8 to 14 days past their period compared to being within 7 days or 15 to 25 days past it. Interestingly, girls slept better overall than boys when objectively measured. Survey study, 2021 Are migraines around the period worse than migraines at other times? Yes. Migraines during the menstrual window last much longer, come back more often, and are more intense than migraines at other times of the cycle. Survey study, 2021 Do female military officers want to suppress their periods during training? Yes, about half wanted to stop periods during training, mainly to avoid worrying about supplies and the inconvenience. However, 37% disagreed, and most didn't report that training made their PMS worse. Guideline, 2021 How do premenstrual symptoms affect women's work performance and attendance? Very significantly. Over 90% of the women surveyed reported some premenstrual symptoms, and 40% experienced them moderately or severely. Those with severe symptoms were more likely to be absent from work, arrive late, or leave early. Survey study, 2021 Does the menstrual cycle affect women's ability to train and compete? Yes. Women who experienced more frequent menstrual symptoms were significantly more likely to miss or change their training, miss competitions, miss work or school, and use pain medication. Survey study, 2021 How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect women's menstrual cycles and symptoms? Nearly half of women reported worsening of their PMS symptoms during the pandemic. Many also reported changes in their menstrual bleeding, increased period pain, and missed periods. Survey study, 2020 What factors predict which women will develop PMDD symptoms? How much women ruminate or worry about their problems and having a specific type of period pain are linked to PMDD. Stress and drug use were not linked. The researchers were able to predict PMDD symptoms correctly 90% of the time using these factors. Survey study, 2020 Is PMS common in female university students and linked to anxiety, depression, and stress? PMS is common, with most students having moderate symptoms and 8% experiencing severe PMS. PMS is significantly associated with anxiety, depression, and stress. Review, 2020 Does progesterone help or harm women's mood? It depends on the condition. Progesterone's metabolite allopregnanolone helps postpartum depression but may trigger negative symptoms in women with PMS and PMDD. More research is needed. Survey study, 2019 Does low vitamin D make premenstrual symptoms worse? Yes, for some symptoms. Women with inadequate vitamin D were about 1.5 to 2 times more likely to have moderate to severe cramps, fatigue, anxiety, and confusion before their period. Low vitamin D did not increase the risk of other symptoms like bloating or headaches. Review, 2019 Which contraceptive methods are safest for women with PMDD? Combined hormonal pills (especially 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol with 3 mg drospirenone) and copper IUDs help PMDD symptoms. Progestin-only methods may worsen mood and need careful monitoring. Systematic review, 2019 Do lithium and valproate levels change during the menstrual cycle? In women with bipolar disorder, lithium levels decreased during the luteal phase (before the period) despite stable doses, linked to worsening mood symptoms. In healthy women, lithium levels were not affected by the menstrual cycle. Review, 2019 How does the menstrual cycle affect migraine in women? Hormone changes during the menstrual cycle affect migraine. Menstrual migraine has long attacks and is difficult to treat. Case-control study, 2019 Do negative thinking patterns increase the risk of PMS or PMDD? Yes. Women with PMS and PMDD have more negative thinking patterns and process information differently than other women, especially during the luteal phase. Cohort study, 2018 Can the premenstrual feelings women get tell us whether ovulation actually occurred? No. While 89% of women reported premenstrual feelings that helped them predict their period, these symptoms did not reliably show whether ovulation actually happened. Randomised trial, 2018 Does adding homeopathy to usual care help PMS more than usual care alone? The study found homeopathy added to usual care improved symptom scores significantly more than usual care alone, but only 46 women completed the trial out of 244 interested. Survey study, 2018 What causes irregular periods? About 14.3% of Korean women aged 19-40 have irregular periods. Stress and depressive mood are the main causes, not medical conditions. Stress is the strongest factor. Systematic review, 2017 Do estrogen patches or gels help control PMS symptoms? Estrogen patches and gels work by stopping ovulation and the hormone changes that cause PMS. However, the abstract does not provide results from the trials reviewed, so effectiveness cannot be assessed. Cohort study, 2017 Do birth control pills affect mood in healthy women without PMS? In healthy women without PMS, birth control pills did not change overall positive or negative mood. However, pill users had fewer mood swings and fewer ruminating negative thoughts. Randomised trial, 2017 Does a single bright light therapy session improve mood in women with PMS? A single 30-minute bright light session reduced negative mood in women not using hormonal birth control, but had no effect in women using contraceptives. This was a small study testing only one session. Survey study, 2017 Do women using hormonal birth control have fewer menstrual symptoms? Most women have menstrual symptoms regardless of birth control use. Women not using hormonal contraception report slightly more symptoms on average (5.9 versus 5.3 symptoms). Randomised trial, 2017 Does the birth control pill change how bad premenstrual symptoms feel? Yes, women using cyclic hormonal contraception had slightly smaller swings in mood and physical symptoms around their period compared with women not using it, though the pill did not get rid of the symptom pattern entirely. 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. Randomised trial, 2017 Does Sepranolone reduce symptoms of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMDD)? Yes, Sepranolone reduced PMDD symptoms significantly more than placebo, with severe symptom scores dropping by 75% compared to 47% for placebo in women who completed treatment correctly. However, implementation challenges limit confidence in the results. Systematic review, 2017 Does vitamin D status change during the menstrual cycle and is it linked to PMS or PMDD? The active form of vitamin D rises 13 to 26 percent across the menstrual cycle, but the basic form does not change much. Whether vitamin D is linked to PMS or PMDD remains unclear, with some studies finding a link and most finding none. Survey study, 2016 Do hormonal contraceptives reduce PMS symptoms? Hormonal contraceptives are linked to lower risk of some PMS symptoms, including cramps, fatigue, and depression, but not others like mood swings and bloating. Survey study, 2016 Does hormonal birth control affect sexual desire across the menstrual cycle? This study of 89 couples found that women on hormonal birth control pills did not show cycle-related changes in sexual desire that naturally cycling women have. Sexual intercourse frequency declined slightly toward the end of pill cycles. Cohort study, 2016 Does switching to birth control with natural estrogen improve quality of life and PMS? Yes, women who switched to birth control containing natural estrogen had significant improvements in quality of life and PMS symptoms within 6 months. Most women stayed on it with few side effects. Cohort study, 2016 Does a history of abuse affect how sensitive women with PMDD are to hormonal changes? Yes. Women with PMDD who experienced physical or sexual abuse show stronger links between cyclical hormone changes and mood symptoms. This suggests trauma may increase vulnerability to hormone effects. Review, 2016 How common are PMS and PMDD, and what are the best treatments? Up to 12% of women are affected by premenstrual disorders that significantly affect their lives. SSRIs are the most evidence-based treatment; oral contraceptives and calcium may also help, but vitamin D and herbal remedies have weak evidence. Cohort study, 2016 How often do doctors diagnose PMS and what treatments do they prescribe? PMS diagnoses recorded in UK primary care fell dramatically from 8.43 per 1000 women in 1995 to 1.72 in 2013. Treatment shifted from progestogens and vitamin B6 to SSRIs and oral contraceptives. Randomised trial, 2016 Does using birth control pills with fewer pill-free days reduce menstrual symptoms? Yes. Using birth control pills with shorter pill-free intervals (fewer days off the pill) reduces menstrual bleeding and related inflammation, which decreases physical and mental symptoms. Case-control study, 2015 Does lamotrigine reduce menstrual cycle-related mood changes in women with bipolar disorder? Women with treated bipolar disorder showed greater mood and sleep changes across the menstrual cycle compared to healthy women. Women taking lamotrigine had less mood fluctuation and were more similar to healthy women than those not taking lamotrigine. Study, 2015 Does a birth control pill with drospirenone help reduce PMS? Yes. The birth control pill with drospirenone produced a clear positive effect on PMS, particularly for psychological symptoms like mood changes and anxiety. Randomised trial, 2014 Does YAZ birth control pill reduce premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptoms? YAZ improved PMDD symptoms more than placebo, but the difference was not statistically significant in this study. The pill was generally well tolerated. Non-randomised trial, 2014 Does the menstrual cycle phase change how one night of poor sleep affects the stress hormone cortisol? Yes, one night of sleep restriction raised cortisol responses in women in the follicular phase, but not in women in the luteal phase, so cycle timing seems to matter. Study, 2014 Do women and men respond differently to sudden loud noises, and does the menstrual cycle matter? The menstrual cycle affects how women respond to sudden loud sounds, but being female versus male alone does not clearly affect this. Lab study, 2014 Do women with PMS have different eye movement patterns? Yes. Women with PMS show different eye tracking patterns during the late luteal phase, particularly when tracking slow-moving targets. Randomised trial, 2013 Which birth control pill ingredient works better for PMS, desogestrel or drospirenone? Both pills reduced PMS symptoms, but drospirenone worked better and faster, showing significant improvements by the 3rd cycle while desogestrel only improved after 6 cycles. Cohort study, 2013 How do menstrual cycle phase and hormonal birth control affect sleep? Women on hormonal birth control had better sleep quality and fewer breathing interruptions during sleep compared to women not on birth control. The effect of birth control was stronger than menstrual cycle phase. Survey study, 2013 Does stress before learning affect memory differently based on sex and menstrual cycle phase? Yes. Without stress, women remembered more words than men, but when exposed to stress, men's performance improved to match women's. In the luteal phase, higher stress hormones were linked to worse memory. Randomised trial, 2013 Is frovatriptan better than other triptans for migraines caused by birth control? In 35 women with birth control-induced menstrual migraines, frovatriptan was similar to other triptans for fast pain relief but significantly better at keeping pain away longer and preventing migraine return. Guideline, 2013 What do experts agree is the best way to treat PMS and PMDD? A group of international experts agreed that treatment should start with careful diagnosis, and that the main options work either by calming brain serotonin activity or by stopping ovulation, with some other approaches worth more study. Survey study, 2013 Do past PMS symptoms predict how severe your menopause symptoms will be? Yes. Women with more severe pain, concentration problems, or water retention during the premenstrual phase were more likely to have severe physical symptoms during menopause. Randomised trial, 2013 Do women with depression whose symptoms worsen before their period respond differently to antidepressants? About two-thirds of depressed women report premenstrual worsening, and these women tend to have more chronic depression and medical problems. However, premenstrual worsening does not predict which antidepressants will work. Randomised trial, 2012 Does continuous birth control with levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol reduce PMDD and PMS symptoms? Four studies found that continuous birth control reduced symptoms by 30-81%, depending on study type. However, results varied and a large placebo effect was observed in controlled trials. Survey study, 2012 Do women want to stop or reduce their periods? Yes. In this survey of 1,111 Brazilian women, 64.3% said they disliked menstruation. The majority wanted to use contraceptives to reduce or stop bleeding completely. Survey study, 2012 What treatments help menstrual migraine and PMS symptoms? Several treatments have evidence including triptans, NSAIDs, magnesium, phytoestrogens, and certain birth control pills. More research is needed to compare treatments. Review, 2012 Does stopping ovulation help premenstrual symptoms? Yes, transdermal estrogen (patch, gel, or implant) can stop the cyclical hormone changes that cause premenstrual symptoms. However, women usually need monthly progestogen and may experience side effects. Non-randomised trial, 2011 Do contraceptive patches work better than contraceptive pills for adolescents? Patch and pills had similar effects on mood, periods, and side effects over 9 cycles. Fewer people continued using the patch long-term, with 38% of patch users versus 60% of pill users still using their method after 9 cycles. Cohort study, 2011 Do Spanish women seek medical advice for premenstrual symptoms? About three-quarters of Spanish women experience premenstrual symptoms, but only 18.7% seek medical advice. Most did not seek help because they thought symptoms were normal. Cohort study, 2011 Do women with PMS consume more caffeine, especially during their luteal phase? No. Women with PMS consume about the same amount of caffeine as women without PMS. Both groups actually consume less caffeine during the luteal phase (when PMS symptoms are worse) than during the follicular phase. Survey study, 2011 Do Black women and white women have different rates of PMDD? Black women were less likely to have PMDD than white women (2.9% versus 4.4%), even after accounting for smoking, weight, income, depression, and many other factors. The reason for this difference is not yet clear. Non-randomised trial, 2011 Does topiramate prevent migraines around the period? Yes. Topiramate reduces how often perimenstrual migraines happen, but does not reduce how severe or long they are. Review, 2011 What health benefits do birth control pills have? Birth control pills reduce symptoms of heavy periods and period pain, lower PMDD symptoms, reduce acne, and lower the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer. Modern pills have lower estrogen doses than older ones and carry less cardiovascular risk. Survey study, 2010 How much do premenstrual symptoms interfere with women's daily activities? Most women (74%) have little or no impact on daily activities from PMS. One in four women are affected, with 17% having clinically significant interference and 9% severely affected. Physical and mental symptoms cause similar amounts of disruption. Cohort study, 2010 Which lifestyle factors and contraceptive methods are linked to premenstrual symptoms? About 1 in 4 women had premenstrual symptoms. Women with higher education and less stress had fewer symptoms. Hormonal birth control was linked with fewer symptoms. Cohort study, 2010 Does asthma or airway reactivity change around menstruation? Yes. Airway reactivity significantly increased in the days around menstruation in women not taking birth control (odds ratio 2.3), but birth control pills appeared protective and prevented this increase. Randomised trial, 2010 Do birth control pills with drospirenone help PMDD? Birth control pills containing drospirenone in a 24/4 formulation appear to help both physical and mood symptoms of PMDD based on randomized trials. However, because placebo effects were strong, more research is needed to confirm how much improvement comes from the drug itself. Non-randomised trial, 2009 How do sex hormones, menstrual cycle phase, and birth control pills affect adolescent stress responses? Oral contraceptive users had an unusual response to stress with cortisol that decreased during stress, while non-pill users had increases in cortisol similar to adults. Menstrual cycle phase did not affect stress responses. Study, 2009 Does how much you eat change during your menstrual cycle? Yes. Women eat less energy during menstruation and more before their period. They also eat more carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamin C, and B vitamins before their period than during menstruation. Survey study, 2009 How common is PMDD among American women? Only 1.3% of women met full PMDD criteria using strict diagnostic rules. This is much lower than previous research suggested. Survey study, 2009 Are women satisfied with drospirenone birth control? Yes, about 95% were satisfied with this birth control and 83% would recommend it to a friend. Many reported improvements in skin and weight. Case-control study, 2008 Does smoking increase the risk of PMS? Yes. Current smokers were 2.1 times more likely than never smokers to develop PMS over 2-4 years. Women who started smoking before age 15 had 2.53 times higher risk. Non-randomised trial, 2008 Does a one-question mood scale work as well as a detailed symptom checklist? A simple 0-10 mood rating scale tracked symptom changes just as well as a 17-item detailed symptom checklist during oral contraceptive cycles, with strong correlation between the two methods. Study, 2008 Is YAZ birth control safe and does it help PMDD? YAZ is a birth control pill approved to prevent pregnancy, treat PMDD, and treat moderate acne. Large studies found it is safe with no increased risk of serious blood complications compared to other birth control pills. Non-randomised trial, 2007 Does a birth control pill with drospirenone reduce water retention symptoms? Yes. Women taking this pill had significant reduction in water retention symptoms during the premenstrual and menstrual phases, with no weight gain. Case-control study, 2007 Does progesterone activate the part of the brain that handles fear and emotion? In 18 healthy women, taking progesterone doses that matched luteal phase levels significantly increased activity in the amygdala (the brain's emotion and fear center) when viewing emotional images. This may explain why progesterone could cause anxiety in women with PMDD. Randomised trial, 2007 Does drospirenone/ethinylestradiol birth control help PMDD symptoms? Yes. This specific birth control pill significantly improved PMDD symptoms over three cycles and improved acne over six cycles while providing 99% contraceptive protection over one year. Case-control study, 2007 What environmental and hormonal factors affect asthma severity in women? Body weight and hormonal changes around the menstrual cycle are associated with asthma severity in women. Smoking and occupational exposures also increase severity. Case-control study, 2007 Are there genes that increase the risk of PMDD? Genetic variations in the ESR1 gene (which codes for estrogen receptor alpha) appear linked to PMDD mood symptoms, suggesting genetic factors contribute to who develops the condition. This was found in a study of women with PMDD and unaffected controls. Randomised trial, 2007 Do extended-cycle birth control pills reduce PMS symptoms compared to regular pills? Yes. Switching from regular birth control pills (21 days on, 7 days off) to extended-cycle pills (minimal pill-free time) significantly reduced PMS symptoms, especially in women with more symptoms to start with. Cohort study, 2007 Does the combined oral contraceptive pill improve quality of life for women with PMS? Yes, the pill improved quality of life for women taking it for menstrual pain and PMS symptoms. Women taking it only for contraception had mixed results. Cohort study, 2007 Does stress affect menstrual regularity? Yes. Women with histories of trauma or parental substance abuse were more likely to have irregular periods or missed periods. Randomised trial, 2007 Do extended-cycle birth control pills reduce PMS symptoms compared to regular pills? Yes. Switching from regular birth control pills (21 days on, 7 days off) to extended-cycle pills (minimal pill-free time) significantly reduced PMS symptoms, especially in women with more symptoms to start with. Non-randomised trial, 2006 Does a drospirenone birth control pill improve premenstrual symptoms and wellbeing? Yes, most women in this study reported a big improvement in premenstrual symptoms and their general wellbeing scores rose significantly after six cycles of taking this pill. Lab study, 2006 Do mood swings happen the same way in people taking birth control pills compared to people not taking them? In young healthy women, mood worsened before menstruation and improved around ovulation regardless of birth control pill use. The mood patterns were the same in both groups. 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. Survey study, 2006 How common is premenstrual syndrome and what factors put women at higher risk? About 25% of women have PMS by objective measure, though 60% report having it. Younger, more educated, economically better-off women and those not using contraceptives had higher rates. Review, 2006 What treatments work for premenstrual disorders? Several treatments work. Three SSRIs are FDA-approved for PMDD. Exercise, diet changes, and therapy also help some women, but no single treatment works for everyone. Randomised trial, 2005 Which birth control pill reduces PMS symptoms better: drospirenone or levonorgestrel? Drospirenone-containing pills reduced PMS symptoms more effectively than levonorgestrel pills after six cycles, especially mood symptoms and water retention. Randomised trial, 2005 Does stress hormone affect women's memory differently depending on menstrual cycle or birth control use? Cortisol impaired memory in naturally cycling women but not in women on oral contraceptives, suggesting birth control pills may protect the brain from stress hormone effects on memory. Review, 2005 Do birth control pills help with menstrual problems? Yes. Birth control pills reduce heavy periods, painful periods, and irregular bleeding. Many women also see improvement in acne and excess hair growth. Cohort study, 2005 Is PMDD a strong risk factor for postpartum depression? Yes, women with PMDD have a 9.3-fold higher risk of major postpartum depression than women without PMDD. Study, 2005 Do women with depression experience worsening of symptoms before their period? Yes. 64% of women with depression reported worsening of symptoms in the 5 to 10 days before their period. This worsening appears linked to longer-lasting depression. Randomised trial, 2005 Can a birth control pill with drospirenone help PMDD symptoms? Yes. In this study, the drospirenone pill worked better than a placebo (dummy pill) at reducing PMDD symptoms. Study, 2003 Can a specific birth control pill help with PMS symptoms? Yes. In this study, 80% of women taking a pill containing drospirenone and ethinylestradiol reported improvement, and 75% said they were satisfied with the treatment. Cohort study, 2003 Does Yasmin birth control reduce premenstrual symptoms? Yes. Women taking Yasmin showed significant improvements in premenstrual symptoms and quality of life. Case-control study, 2003 Does birth control pill use improve or worsen premenstrual mood? The pill doesn't affect mood in most women. Mood is most likely to worsen in women with a history of depression, and most likely to improve in women with early-onset premenstrual symptoms or painful periods. Cohort study, 2003 Do birth control pills change how women experience premenstrual and menstrual symptoms? Birth control pills do not eliminate the cyclical pattern of premenstrual and menstrual symptoms that healthy women naturally experience. Different pill types produce similar patterns, though pill users reported less fatigue than non-users. Cohort study, 2003 Do symptoms change across the menstrual cycle and does birth control affect this? Symptoms are lowest in the early cycle phase and increase before and during menstruation. Over 40 percent of women show a 30 percent increase in symptoms before their period. Birth control use does not change whether women experience these changes. Cohort study, 2003 How does the menstrual cycle affect women's sleep? We cannot yet draw clear conclusions because existing studies are small and use different methods. However, sleep is almost always disrupted during pregnancy and postpartum, and menopause often causes insomnia. Case-control study, 2003 Do IBS symptoms change across the menstrual cycle and vary by contraceptive use? Women with IBS have higher symptom severity than controls, and symptoms vary by menstrual cycle phase and bowel pattern type. Oral contraceptive use did not significantly change most IBS symptoms. Non-randomised trial, 2002 Does birth control containing drospirenone reduce premenstrual symptoms? In this study, birth control containing drospirenone (3 mg) reduced mood-related symptoms and water retention by the sixth cycle. Without a control group, we cannot be certain these improvements were caused by the pill rather than placebo effect. Review, 2002 What drugs work for PMDD? Serotonin-based antidepressants, especially SSRIs taken only during the luteal phase, are the first-line treatment for PMDD. Progesterone is not effective. Case-control study, 2002 Does mercury exposure at work affect period pain and menstrual symptoms? Yes, women exposed to mercury vapor at work have significantly higher rates of period pain and cramping. Since this is observational research, it shows association but not definite causation. Randomised trial, 2002 Does the birth control pill Yasmin help women with PMDD? Yes, women taking Yasmin had greater reduction in premenstrual symptoms compared to placebo, with statistically significant improvements in appetite, acne, and food craving. Review, 2002 Does the new oral contraceptive Yasmin improve premenstrual symptoms and well-being? Yes. Women with premenstrual symptoms who took Yasmin showed improved well-being scores and fewer physical symptoms compared to before starting the medication. Review, 2002 How is PMDD diagnosed? PMDD is diagnosed by a pattern of symptoms that occur in the late luteal phase and go away after menstruation starts. It is likely caused by sensitivity to normal hormone changes, not abnormal hormone levels. SSRIs are the recommended treatment. Cohort study, 2002 What factors affect how severe PMS symptoms are? PMS severity varies among women and is influenced by age, race/ethnicity, health status, and oral contraceptive use. Women with more health conditions have worse symptoms. Survey study, 2001 What behaviors and factors are linked to breast pain during the menstrual cycle? Smoking, caffeine consumption, and stress are each associated with more breast pain. Birth control pills are associated with less breast pain and PMS. Non-randomised trial, 2001 Does a new birth control pill reduce PMS symptoms? Yes. In 322 women, after 6 cycles of this pill, negative mood and water retention during the premenstrual phase dropped significantly. However, this study had no control group, so we cannot be certain the pill itself caused the improvement rather than a placebo effect. Randomised trial, 2001 Does an oral contraceptive with drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol treat PMDD? The birth control pill showed signs of helping, especially with appetite, acne, and food cravings. However, most improvements were not statistically significant, and the study had limitations. Review, 2001 What health benefits does the oral contraceptive pill provide? The oral contraceptive pill has proven benefits including protection against ovarian and endometrial cancers, preventing serious infections and pregnancy complications, and preventing anemia. It can also treat painful periods, heavy bleeding, acne, and endometriosis pain. Review, 2001 What medical problems can the levonorgestrel intrauterine device treat? The levonorgestrel IUD can treat heavy periods, period pain, and prevent anemia. It may also help endometriosis pain, though this is based on a review article rather than new clinical research. Randomised trial, 2000 Is drospirenone-based birth control as effective as desogestrel-based, and which is better tolerated? Both prevent pregnancy equally well. The drospirenone-based pill caused less weight gain and reduced PMS symptoms more during treatment. Randomised trial, 2000 Does exercise performance change during different phases of the menstrual cycle? Exercise performance was mostly unchanged during the menstrual cycle. Women with menstrual symptoms had an 8 percent drop in jumping power during menstruation, but women without symptoms showed no change. Survey study, 2000 How do mood and physical symptoms change during your menstrual cycle? Physical symptoms get worse right before and during your period. Birth control pills significantly reduced negative moods. Mood and physical symptoms are separate things that affect each other. Cohort study, 2000 How many women in a regular population experience menstrual cycle-related symptom changes? About 45% of women experience symptom changes between menstrual phases. However, the patterns vary widely. About 27% have patterns opposite to typical PMS symptoms. Daily tracking is necessary to know what actually happens for each person. Cohort study, 2000 How common are symptom changes across the menstrual cycle and PMDD? Symptom changes during the menstrual cycle are very common, with 80.7% of women showing such changes. Among those who self-identified with PMS (51%), only 2-6% met clinical criteria for PMDD. Study, 1994 Do your mood and physical symptoms stay the same from one menstrual cycle to the next? Your physical symptoms tend to be more stable across cycles than your emotions do. This suggests your premenstrual experience can be quite different from month to month. Review, 1993 What are the medication options for treating PMS? PMS can be treated with hormonal medications that alter the menstrual cycle, mood drugs, diuretics for fluid retention, and pain relievers for headaches. Treatment should start with simpler measures and consider side effects. Survey study, 1993 Are women with menopause distress more likely to have had past depression linked to their periods? Yes, clearly. Women with high distress at menopause were much more likely to report past depression, needing antidepressant treatment, distress from birth control, PMS symptoms, baby blues, and postpartum depression. Study, 1993 Do birth control pills change PMS symptoms? Birth control pills reduced menstrual pain and breast tenderness. However, they didn't clearly help with food cravings or clumsiness, and may have actually made negative mood less likely to improve during menstruation. Review, 1993 Is the PMS diagnosis scientifically valid and clinically useful? The authors argue the traditional PMS diagnosis is flawed because there is no agreed definition, many women seeking help do not fit diagnostic criteria, and there is no consensus on treatment. They propose a three-factor model instead. Randomised trial, 1993 Does oral contraceptive help PMS and affect sexual interest? The oral contraceptive improved mood during the premenstrual phase but decreased sexual interest during the menstrual and postmenstrual phases. The mood improvement was not the cause of the decreased sexual interest. Randomised trial, 1992 Does a triphasic birth control pill help premenstrual symptoms? It reduced breast pain and bloating but did not help mood symptoms. Women also experienced decreased sexual interest as a side effect. Case-control study, 1992 Do women with PMS report more stress arousal than women without PMS during their cycle? Yes. Women who self-diagnosed with PMS reported significantly greater increases in arousal during the premenstrual phase compared to women without PMS, though there were no differences in actual task performance. 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. Case-control study, 1991 How common are premenstrual symptoms in teenage girls, and what factors affect them? 80% of teenage girls had at least one premenstrual symptom, with 25% experiencing pain that severely interfered with daily activities. Symptoms varied by ethnic background and smoking. Review, 1990 How common is PMS and what are the best ways to treat it? PMS is common among women of reproductive age, especially in their 30s or older. Treatment can include exercise, diet, vitamins, and medications such as progesterone or birth control pills, with support and counseling being especially important. Survey study, 1990 Does the type of contraceptive pill affect premenstrual symptoms? Women taking a monophasic pill (steady hormone levels) had less breast tenderness before their period than women on other pills or no hormonal contraceptives. Other premenstrual symptoms were similar across all groups. Randomised trial, 1989 Does vitamin B6 reduce PMS mood symptoms? Yes, vitamin B6 at 50 mg per day significantly improved mood-related symptoms like depression, irritability, and tiredness. It did not help other PMS symptoms. Only about half the women finished the study. Survey study, 1988 Do women with PMS have higher rates of postpartum depression and birth control side effects? Yes. Among women who had given birth, 62.6% of those with PMS had experienced postpartum depression compared to 41.4% without PMS. Among those with postpartum depression, 69.8% of PMS patients reported birth control side effects compared to 38.9% of controls. Survey study, 1988 How do birth control methods and smoking affect menstrual periods? Women taking oral contraceptives report fewer menstrual problems like heavy or painful periods. Women using IUCDs report heavier and more frequent periods. Smokers report more menstrual problems than non-smokers, with current smokers reporting the worst. Review, 1988 How do reproductive hormones affect mood across a woman's life? This review examines mood and behavioral changes linked to hormone shifts during the menstrual cycle, birth control use, pregnancy, postpartum period, and perimenopause. It recommends better ways to measure and report symptoms. Study, 1985 Do women get worse grades on exams during the premenstrual phase? No. All 26 women in the study earned similar exam marks during the premenstrual phase compared to other times of their cycle. Cohort study, 1985 Do mood and physical symptoms really change across the menstrual cycle, and does anxiety make this worse? Yes, women reported more symptoms before and during their period and fewer in the days after, though the exact pattern differed a lot between women. Anxious women reported more symptoms overall, but anxiety did not explain the cyclical ups and downs themselves. Study, 1983 Does menstrual cycle affect how much alcohol women drink? For women not on birth control, yes. They reported more negative moods before their period and drank alcohol more often to help with stress and sadness, particularly drinking alone. Women on birth control pills did not show this pattern. Survey study, 1982 How common are premenstrual symptoms in American women, and what factors affect them? Premenstrual symptoms are very common in American women, with over 30% experiencing weight gain, headache, mood changes, and other symptoms, though only 2% to 8% found them severe. Study, 1982 Do different birth control pills have different effects on premenstrual symptoms? Yes, women taking birth control pills containing the progestogen lynestrenol had significantly more premenstrual depression and belly swelling than women taking pills containing norgestrel. Review, 1981 What causes period pain and how is it treated? Period pain is caused by increased muscle activity in the uterus and is effectively treated with birth control pills or medications called prostaglandin inhibitors. Study, 1976 Do mood and body changes happen at the same time in the menstrual cycle? Women experience more pain and water retention during their period and just before it, but their mood problems and stress responses are more strongly tied to what's happening in their lives than to their cycle. Men have more stable emotions and less pain throughout. Study, 1970 Does oral contraceptive use affect depression related to the menstrual cycle? Yes. In women not using contraceptives, depression varied with the menstrual cycle day. In women using oral contraceptives, this pattern was much weaker. Also, 6.6 percent of women on one type of contraceptive were more severely depressed than any woman in the control group. Review, 2026 Can yoga and mind-based meditation help with PMS? Yoga and Mind Sound Resonance Technique show promise as non-drug treatments for PMS. They appear to work by reducing stress hormones and improving emotional control. Systematic review, 2026 Which oral treatments for PMS work best and have the fewest side effects? This is a plan to compare different PMS treatments, but the study hasn't been completed yet so there are no results to report. When finished, it will compare medications, contraceptives, and complementary approaches. Cohort study, 2026 Does starting hormonal contraception between ages 13 and 17 reduce premenstrual symptoms by age 18? This is a planned study that has not yet been completed. No results are available yet to answer this question. Interview study, 2026 How do eating behavior and mood change during the menstrual cycle in women using birth control? Women not using birth control showed more emotional and compulsive eating in the early cycle phase, while women using birth control pills showed less change. This is a small study of 84 university students. Study, 2026 How do brain chemicals relate to PMDD and what treatments can help? PMDD affects 3% to 8% of menstruating people and involves a brain chemical imbalance. Several treatments work, including antidepressants, new specific medications, birth control pills, and some herbal remedies. Review, 2026 What should doctors know about PMS and PMDD in teenagers? PMS and PMDD are common in teenagers and affect school, friendships, and mental health because the body is overly sensitive to normal hormone changes. SSRIs (antidepressants), birth control pills, exercise, therapy, and lifestyle changes can help, though most evidence comes from adult studies. Survey study, 2026 Are PMS and depression connected in nursing students? 38.9% had moderate-to-severe PMS and 12.2% had PMDD. Depression was slightly more common in women with PMS (54.3% vs 47.3%), but this difference was not statistically significant. Study, 2026 Could early stress or past trauma make PMDD symptoms worse later in the cycle? This research offers a possible explanation for why PMDD symptoms vary so much, and why related conditions can worsen before a period. It is only a theory, not tested on patients, so we don't yet know if it is true. Case report, 2025 Can birth control medication help menstrual cycle-related psychosis? Yes, in one case. A woman with severe monthly psychotic episodes linked to menstruation had sustained improvement over four months after adding a combined oral contraceptive. Survey study, 2025 What are menstrual cycle patterns in elite female basketball players? Most (78.51%) had regular cycles averaging 27.69 days. Most (86.84%) experienced period pain, and 77.63% had PMS symptoms. About 22.81% experienced absent periods. Survey study, 2025 Does your menstrual cycle or hormonal contraceptive affect how your brain responds to scary situations? Yes. Women in the luteal phase and women using hormonal IUDs showed less ability to distinguish between threatening and safe situations compared to women in the follicular phase or using the pill. Women with high PMS symptoms showed more fear overall regardless of cycle phase. Non-randomised trial, 2025 Does the pill estetrol/drospirenone ease period pain, bloating and premenstrual mood symptoms? For women trying this pill for the first time, yes, it significantly eased pain, water retention and negative mood. For women switching from another pill, symptoms stayed about the same rather than improving. Survey study, 2025 Do hormone levels during the menstrual cycle affect visual memory? Hormone levels do not clearly affect how well women remember visual information. Age was more important than hormones. Survey study, 2025 Do menstrual cycle phase and symptoms affect sleep in female footballers? Menstrual cycle phase alone did not affect sleep. But more menstrual symptoms were linked to later bedtimes, longer total sleep, and more time awake. Survey study, 2025 Which Kampo medicines do Japanese doctors use for PMS and PMDD? 19.5% of Japanese gynecologists prefer Kampo medicine for PMS/PMDD. Different doctors choose different types based on their experience and whether they work in a clinic or hospital. Survey study, 2025 Do hormone levels during the menstrual cycle affect sleep in female athletes? Hormone levels (estradiol and progesterone) themselves do not affect sleep. But having more menstrual symptoms was linked to worse sleep in naturally cycling athletes. Case report, 2025 How do hormones affect yeast infections that keep coming back before menstruation? Estrogen and progesterone changes make yeast grow more easily and reduce the body's ability to fight it. Switching to a different type of birth control helped one woman's recurrent yeast infections. Study, 2025 How well do SSRIs work for treating PMS and PMDD? SSRIs are recommended as a first treatment option by Dutch guidelines when lifestyle changes have not worked well enough, usually used alongside oral contraceptives. Survey study, 2025 Does psychological stress change the menstrual cycle and mood? During the early COVID-19 pandemic when there was high stress, women reported both psychological symptoms and changes to their menstrual cycles. Close to 90% of women with several psychological symptoms also had changes in their menstrual cycles. Survey study, 2025 How do PMDD treatments affect sleep? This review examines how PMDD treatments like SSRIs affect sleep and circadian rhythms, but current research is limited. More research is needed to fully understand these effects. Survey study, 2024 Does musculoskeletal pain affect quality of life and mood in women with PMS? Yes. Women with more severe musculoskeletal pain had worse quality of life, less physical activity, and worse mood during the luteal phase, though this study cannot prove pain causes these effects. Randomised trial, 2024 Does a supplement with Rhodiola, Vitex, and vitamin B6 reduce PMS? The supplement improved mood and antioxidant protection in women taking it, but the study could not tell if this was better than placebo because both groups improved similarly. Survey study, 2024 Do athletes understand their menstrual cycle and how it affects their performance? Most athletes feel their menstrual cycle affects their performance, but most cannot correctly identify the different phases. Many feel tired or unmotivated during certain phases. Review, 2024 What methods can help relieve PMS symptoms? Diet changes, physical activity (especially yoga and Pilates), relaxation techniques, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and SSRI medications can all reduce PMS severity. Non-drug methods appear to be low-cost alternatives to medication. Case report, 2024 Can lithium help treat PMDD when other medications are not an option? Yes, based on one case. A woman with PMDD and a family history of bipolar disorder responded well to lithium treatment. Study, 2024 Can PMDD cause psychosis that returns with each menstrual cycle? Yes. A woman experienced psychotic symptoms starting 5 days before her period and ending when her period began, and this pattern repeated every month for 5 years. Treatment with medications reduced the severity but did not completely stop the symptoms. Case report, 2024 How is PMDD diagnosed and treated in teenagers? One 19-year-old girl with severe cyclical mood symptoms was diagnosed with PMDD by tracking symptoms for two menstrual cycles and improved markedly after starting an SSRI and birth control pills. Survey study, 2024 How do psychiatrists and gynecologists in Japan diagnose and treat PMS and PMDD? They use different approaches. Psychiatrists mainly prescribe SSRIs and Kampo medicines, while gynecologists use a mix including birth control pills. Most don't use evidence-based diagnostic methods like symptom diaries. Survey study, 2024 Do women with PMDD have more depression and anxiety than those without PMDD? Yes. Women with PMDD had significantly higher depression and anxiety symptoms and lower well-being compared to women without PMDD. Survey study, 2024 How does PMS affect work quality of life in nurses? Nurses with PMS had lower work quality of life scores compared to those without PMS. Severe menstrual cramps, family history of PMS, and work stress increased the likelihood of PMS. This is a survey of 210 nurses in Jordan, so findings may differ in other countries. Lab study, 2024 Can l-theanine delivered through a gel patch help PMS symptoms? This is a laboratory study preparing a gel that can deliver l-theanine through the skin. The gel successfully delivered l-theanine in mice, so it might work for PMS symptoms, but it has not yet been tested in humans with PMS. Survey study, 2024 How are PMDD and sexual dysfunction connected? Women with PMDD often experience sexual problems during the premenstrual phase. Some medications treat PMDD and others treat sexual dysfunction, but it's not clear if they help both conditions together. Survey study, 2023 Does attachment style affect how severe premenstrual symptoms are? For women not on hormonal birth control, yes. Women with anxious attachment (being very worried in relationships) had more severe premenstrual symptoms through difficulty controlling emotions. Women on hormonal contraception did not show this pattern. Cohort study, 2023 What problems do Japanese doctors see in how PMS and PMDD are diagnosed and treated? Most Japanese doctors diagnose PMS and PMDD without using the recommended symptom diary. Only 8.4% keep a diary and 84.4% use only informal interviews. Treatment relies mainly on birth control pills (98.1%) and herbal medicine (73.6%), with antidepressants used in just 2.6% of cases. Randomised trial, 2023 Does matching your running training to your menstrual cycle phase improve performance, recovery and wellbeing? This pilot study was designed to test that question, but the text available here stops before the results section, so no answer can be given yet. Survey study, 2023 Do male and female obstetricians and gynecologists approach PMDD and PMS diagnosis and treatment differently? Yes. Female OB/GYNs were more likely to treat PMDD and PMS patients, more likely to use symptom diaries for diagnosis, and less likely to prescribe SSRIs as their first choice. This suggests the gender of the provider may influence how they approach these conditions. Cohort study, 2023 How do menstrual cycle and birth control pill phases affect female athletes' training and performance? Female rowers performed better in the middle of their cycle and worse during their period and premenstrual phase. Those taking hormonal contraceptives also performed better when taking the pills. Cohort study, 2023 What menstrual cycle data has been collected in a long-term UK study of mothers and daughters? A major UK birth cohort collected data on menstrual problems including irregular periods, heavy bleeding, pain, and premenstrual symptoms from mothers and daughters over many years. This data can be used to study what causes menstrual problems. Case-control study, 2023 Does micronutrient intake differ between female athletes with and without PMS? Most nutrients showed no clear difference. Lower vitamin D intake tended to be associated with PMS, but this finding was not definite. Survey study, 2023 Does drospirenone-containing birth control reduce PMS symptoms? Yes. Female students who took drospirenone-containing contraceptive for 6 months showed statistically significant reductions in PMS symptoms, especially in irritability, aggressiveness, and sleep. Survey study, 2023 How common is PMS among female nursing students and how does it affect their lives? 61.4% of nursing students had PMS. Most had physical symptoms, anger, anxiety, and sensitivity. These symptoms interfered significantly with family relationships, social life, and academic work. Case report, 2023 Can stopping ovulation help severe PMDD when other treatments do not work? Yes. In this case, a woman with severe PMDD symptoms had improvement when treated with leuprorelin acetate and full resolution after surgery to remove her ovaries. This is a single case of very severe PMDD. Cohort study, 2023 What medications and supplements treat PMDD? SSRIs are the first-line medication. Combined oral contraceptives and Chasteberry are second-line options. Certainty varies by treatment type. Survey study, 2022 Does the menstrual cycle affect asthma in teenage girls? Asthma symptoms can worsen around ovulation and before menstruation in teenage girls, likely due to changes in estrogen and progesterone. Standard asthma medications may not work well for this type of worsening. Study, 2022 What are the different types of premenstrual disorders and how are they treated? Premenstrual disorders include main premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual exacerbation of other diseases, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD requires mental health care. Combined oral contraception with drospirenone can reduce symptoms for many women. Study, 2022 Why do women get PMS and PMDD? PMS and PMDD happen because the brain responds very sensitively to normal changes in estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle. Several brain systems control mood and are affected. Study, 2022 What are the symptoms, causes, and treatments of PMS and PMDD? PMS affects 20-40% of menstruating women and causes fatigue, mood changes, and bloating. PMDD is less common but more severe. Possible causes involve hormone changes and brain chemistry. Treatments include lifestyle changes and medications. Case report, 2022 Can stopping the menstrual cycle help women whose arthritis gets worse before their period? One woman whose arthritis flared severely before her period improved significantly when her menstrual cycle was controlled with hormones. Survey study, 2021 How common is PMS in medical students and how severe? 19.2% of students had PMS, with 4.3% mild, 8.1% moderate, and 6.8% severe. This is a small single-college study so the numbers may not apply to all women. Survey study, 2021 Does the menstrual cycle or birth control affect sleep and memory? All women improved their memory overnight. Women on birth control and in the luteal phase had more of a certain type of sleep brain wave compared to women in the follicular phase, and this brain wave was linked to higher progesterone levels. Randomised trial, 2021 Does a nomegestrol acetate oral contraceptive help mood symptoms in PMDD? Most women (74.5%) reported improved mood, and depression, anxiety, and stress scores improved significantly. This was an early feasibility study without a control group, so we need stronger evidence. Survey study, 2021 What are PMS and PMDD and how are they treated? PMS affects 10-98% of women and PMDD affects 2-8%. Both are treated with birth control, antidepressants, exercise, and lifestyle changes. Survey study, 2021 Does dancing or running reduce premenstrual symptoms? Dancing (Argentine tango) modestly reduced the duration of premenstrual symptoms, but running did not show the same benefit. Neither activity eliminated symptoms completely. Interview study, 2021 What do Dutch general practitioners think about diagnosing and treating premenstrual symptoms? Dutch GPs viewed PMS as a physiological condition caused by hormones and personal sensitivity, and preferred treating symptoms with oral contraceptives and lifestyle changes rather than antidepressants. Survey study, 2020 Does the menstrual cycle affect how fast female athletes run? The study found no clear difference in running speed between the follicular and luteal phases. Running times slowed on menstruating days compared to non-menstruating days for most athletes. Randomised trial, 2020 Does hormone change across the menstrual cycle affect how a woman's voice sounds? Yes. Hormone changes across the menstrual cycle affect the pitch and qualities of the voice. Oral contraceptive pills appear to stabilize these changes. Review, 2020 Do hormonal contraceptives cause depression? The link between hormonal contraceptives and depression is still debated. Women with a history of mood disorders or PMDD are at higher risk of mood effects, and adolescence appears to be a critical vulnerable period. Survey study, 2020 Do oral contraceptive pills increase the risk of premenstrual syndrome symptoms? Yes. Women taking oral contraceptive pills had about 21 percent higher risk of premenstrual symptoms than non-users, and this effect was stronger in women age 25 and older, where the risk increased by 32 percent. Study, 2020 Can ozone therapy reduce PMS symptoms? In 5 women with PMS, inflammation markers decreased and infections were reduced with ozone therapy combined with diet changes. Women reported improvement. Case report, 2020 What causes severe psychiatric symptoms that recur with the menstrual cycle, and how should they be treated? Menstrual psychosis is a rare condition where severe psychiatric symptoms occur cyclically with menstruation. Hormonal therapy is more effective than antipsychotic medications alone. Randomised trial, 2020 How should premenstrual syndrome be diagnosed and treated? PMS is diagnosed by tracking cyclical symptoms that appear 2-14 days before menstruation and disappear when menstruation starts. Both hormonal treatments like birth control pills and non-hormonal treatments like Vitex extract have been shown in research to be effective. Survey study, 2020 How common is PMS and what medications do women use for it? PMS affected 73.6% of the women studied. Most used over-the-counter painkillers, with 70.2% self-medicating. Interview study, 2020 Does the menstrual cycle phase affect athletic performance and decision-making? Yes. Physical performance was better during the menstrual phase than other phases of the cycle. How impulsive athletes were varied by cycle phase, but risk-taking did not. Athletes on birth control pills showed larger performance changes. Non-randomised trial, 2019 Does starting or stopping birth control pills change premenstrual symptoms? Starting birth control pills reduced physical PMS symptoms but had no effect on mood symptoms. Stopping the pills did not change either type of symptom. Systematic review, 2019 How is PMS identified and treated in women with intellectual disabilities? PMS is more common in women with intellectual disabilities, but there is no standard way to diagnose it or measure whether treatment works. Diagnosis relies on observers watching for symptoms rather than women reporting them. Survey study, 2019 Do birth control pills reduce psychological symptoms of PMS? Yes. Women who had used birth control pills reported significantly lower rates of depression (P=0.039), sadness (P=0.012), and anger (P=0.032) related to PMS, but we cannot be certain the pills caused this because the study did not randomly assign women to use them. Review, 2019 What causes PMDD and which treatments actually help? This review explains that PMDD likely comes from an unusual brain response to normal hormone changes, involving serotonin and a brain receptor called GABA-A, and it says serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first choice of treatment, with other options available if those do not work. Study, 2019 Does a specific hormonal birth control help PMS in teenage girls? Yes, teenage girls taking this hormone combination had significantly fewer PMS symptoms after 6 months. Pain before and during menstruation significantly decreased. Survey study, 2019 Can birth control pills treat PMDD? Yes. Birth control pills with drospirenone significantly reduced emotional symptoms like depression and anxiety by 50% at 6 months, while physical symptoms like pain improved by 70%. Without a placebo control, we cannot be certain the medication caused all the improvement. Cohort study, 2018 Do sexually transmitted infections make premenstrual symptoms worse? Possibly. Before diagnosis, undiagnosed STIs predicted about 2-fold increased odds of headache, cramps, and sadness during the late luteal phase. After treatment, emotional symptoms improved. Randomised trial, 2018 Does an oral contraceptive with drospirenone reduce premenstrual worsening of Meniere's disease? Yes. The oral contraceptive combined with rehabilitation significantly improved dizziness and balance over 6 months, with the contraceptive group showing much better symptom improvement than rehabilitation alone. Survey study, 2018 How do women respond differently to psychiatric medications and why do we need sex-specific treatments? Women respond differently to psychiatric medications than men because of biological differences in brain receptors and hormones. Sex-specific treatments are important for conditions like PMDD and postpartum depression. Study, 2018 Does the menstrual cycle affect women's voice and voice box? Voice quality and voice box movement showed no clear differences during different cycle phases. However, blood vessels in the voice box appeared more swollen during the high progesterone premenstrual phase. Review, 2018 How should doctors diagnose and treat PMDD? This review explains that PMDD needs to be carefully told apart from other mental health conditions, and that antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs) are the recommended first treatment, with other options available if those don't work. Case report, 2018 Do oral contraceptives help psychotic symptoms that start before menstruation? In one adolescent with psychosis starting just before her period, symptoms improved after her period ended and after she started taking oral contraceptives and olanzapine. We can't know from this single case whether the contraceptives, the medication, or the natural end of menstruation helped most. Survey study, 2018 Do women who get migraines during their period have more PMS symptoms? No. Women with menstrual migraine reported the same number of PMS symptoms as those without it. Survey study, 2018 Does the menstrual cycle affect how the body responds to stress? Women in the luteal phase show a stronger cortisol response to laboratory stress than women in the follicular phase. Case report, 2018 Does dienogest help premenstrual mood changes in someone with schizophrenia? One woman with schizophrenia improved in her premenstrual mood symptoms and returned to work. This is one person's experience, so we can't be sure others would benefit. Case report, 2017 Can a combined oral contraceptive pill help PMDD in women who also have depression or anxiety? One 34-year-old woman with PMDD along with depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions improved on a combined oral contraceptive pill. Her mood, anxiety, menstrual cramps, and ability to handle stress all got better. Survey study, 2017 Does crying change during the menstrual cycle? Women feel more like crying during the premenstrual phase but do not actually cry more. The differences in feeling like crying were small but statistically significant. Survey study, 2017 What is the impact of having both bipolar disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Women with both conditions experience significantly worse bipolar illness: earlier onset, more rapid cycling, more mood episodes, and higher rates of anxiety disorders and other conditions. They also experience more severe symptoms during pregnancy and while taking oral contraceptives. Study, 2017 How is severe PMS (PMDD) diagnosed and what treatments do doctors recommend first? Doctors use specific symptoms to diagnose PMDD. Several treatment options exist, though some common supplements haven't been proven to help. Study, 2017 What are the treatment options for PMS? Multiple treatments exist for PMS including lifestyle changes and different medications. Combined oral contraceptives with folates may particularly help with mood and thinking problems. Survey study, 2017 Are vitamin D and magnesium levels lower in women with PMS than in women without it? Yes. Women with PMS had much lower vitamin D and somewhat lower magnesium levels than women without PMS, and the two measurements were positively linked. Survey study, 2017 How many young women have premenstrual syndrome? The abstract is mostly in Polish and incomplete, so we cannot give a clear answer about prevalence from the available text. Randomised trial, 2017 Does adding birth control to antidepressants help depression that worsens before your period? Adding drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol to antidepressants did not significantly improve premenstrual depression better than placebo in this small study. Both groups improved similarly. Review, 2016 Can contraceptives help PMDD? Combined hormonal contraceptives containing drospirenone in a 24+4-day regimen are FDA-approved for PMDD, and evidence suggests other formulations may also work. The review could not determine which components matter most because it is based on existing studies. Non-randomised trial, 2016 Does a low-dose birth control pill help with menstrual pain in women with endometriosis? Yes. A birth control pill containing drospirenone and ethinylestradiol significantly reduced menstrual pain, pelvic pain, pain with sex, and premenstrual bloating and mood symptoms. The study had no control group, so we cannot be completely certain the improvement was from the pill. Cohort study, 2016 Does genetic variation affect how women process emotions at different cycle phases? Yes. Women with certain gene variants showed different emotional responses depending on cycle phase and oral contraceptive use, though results varied by which variant they had. Survey study, 2016 Can asthma get worse around your period? Yes. This review explains that asthma can flare up in the days around the period, a pattern called perimenstrual asthma, and looks at why this happens and how it might be treated. Non-randomised trial, 2016 Does a birth control pill improve quality of life in women with moderate to severe PMS? Yes, this pill significantly improved quality of life in multiple areas after 3 months, with 88.4% of women reporting satisfaction with treatment. However, this was a small study with no comparison to other treatments. Survey study, 2015 Is borderline personality disorder more common in women with PMS? Yes, women with PMS had significantly more borderline personality disorder traits than those without PMS (p=0.001), and this relationship was stronger with more severe PMS. Survey study, 2015 Do blood glucose levels change across the menstrual cycle? Blood glucose levels were significantly different between the follicular and luteal phases, though the abstract does not provide the specific values or describe differences between women with PMS and healthy controls. Non-randomised trial, 2015 Does this birth control pill help premenstrual symptoms in Japanese women? Yes, in this study of 48 Japanese women, most premenstrual symptoms improved significantly after 3 and 6 cycles of treatment. The study had no comparison group, so we cannot be fully certain of the effect. Interview study, 2015 Does hormonal contraception affect mental health and sexual desire? Clear effects were found on sexual desire (decreased) and painful menstruation (reduced). No clear difference was found in psychological symptoms overall, though interviews suggested some women may experience mental changes. Survey study, 2015 Does a brain chemical involved in mood change during the menstrual cycle? In women with natural cycles, GABA (a calming brain chemical) increased at ovulation. In women on hormonal contraceptives, GABA levels did not change between pill phases. GABA levels were not linked to premenstrual symptom severity. Cohort study, 2015 Do brain networks change during the menstrual cycle and relate to premenstrual symptoms? Brain networks appear stable across different menstrual cycle phases. However, in women on birth control pills, changes in one brain network area correlated with premenstrual-like symptoms. This was a very small study using advanced brain imaging. Study, 2014 Does soy extract containing isoflavones help with premenstrual symptoms? Soy isoflavone supplements improved some symptoms during menstruation but made mood symptoms worse during the luteal phase. Different treatments may work better at different times of the cycle. Review, 2014 Do birth control pills help PMS? Yes. Birth control pills can treat and prevent premenstrual syndrome according to this review, though the abstract does not provide specific details about the strength of benefit. Study, 2014 Does the oral contraceptive Marvelon help with PMS symptoms? Yes. When women took Marvelon (a combination birth control pill) for 6 months, their PMS symptoms got noticeably better. Other measures of health including blood cholesterol also improved. Cohort study, 2014 Does exposure to PFOS or PFOA chemicals affect menstrual cycles? Higher exposure to PFOA was linked to longer menstrual cycles. However, this was a cross-sectional study that cannot prove the chemicals caused the change. Interview study, 2014 Does acne get worse around women's periods? About two-thirds of adult women with acne reported that their acne gets worse around their period, with more than half saying it worsens in the week before their period starts. Survey study, 2014 Do herbal remedies or birth control pills improve quality of life for women with PMS? Yes, both treatments led to statistically significant improvements in physical and psychological health, though this was an observational study without a control group for comparison. Case report, 2013 Does lamotrigine help when antidepressants don't work well enough for severe PMDD? One woman with severe PMDD significantly improved when lamotrigine was added to her antidepressant. This is one person's experience, so we can't be sure it would work for everyone. Cohort study, 2013 Does this birth control pill help premenstrual symptoms? Yes, in women with severe premenstrual mood symptoms, this birth control pill improved negative mood, positive mood, swelling, and effect on daily life. Women with no, mild, or moderate symptoms did not benefit. Study, 2013 What health problems can birth control pills help with besides preventing pregnancy? Many. Birth control pills can treat or prevent PMS, PMDD, painful periods, irregular bleeding, acne, cysts, endometriosis pain, fibroids, and reduce risk of some cancers. Randomised trial, 2013 Does the menstrual cycle affect cortisol (stress hormone) levels? No. The menstrual cycle phase does not affect cortisol levels. However, birth control pills are associated with higher resting cortisol levels and a weaker stress response. Randomised trial, 2013 What treatments work for PMS and PMDD in teenagers? At least 20% of teenagers experience moderate-to-severe premenstrual symptoms. Education, calcium, exercise, and stress reduction help mild cases, but severe PMS and PMDD usually need medication like SSRIs or hormonal contraceptives. Research on teenagers is limited. Survey study, 2013 Do hormonal birth control pills reduce PMS symptoms? In this study, 86% of women experienced PMS symptoms regardless of whether they used hormonal or non-hormonal birth control. Although hormonal pills should theoretically reduce PMS, this effect was not observed. The authors note results should be interpreted cautiously. Survey study, 2013 How many college students have premenstrual symptoms? Most do. 90 percent of college students report at least one premenstrual symptom, but only a few with severe symptoms seek help. Review, 2012 Can birth control pills help prevent menstrual migraines? Some hormonal birth control products have been suggested to help prevent menstrual migraines, but this review does not provide clear evidence about which ones work or what concerns exist. Survey study, 2012 Do women with PMS eat more food before their period? Yes. Women with PMS ate significantly more energy and carbohydrates during the luteal phase (before their period) compared to other times. Review, 2012 What causes PMS and PMDD? PMS and PMDD are triggered by hormonal changes after ovulation, but not by abnormal hormone levels. The brain's calming system (GABA) and mood system (serotonin) are both affected by progesterone changes. Review, 2012 How can doctors manage premenstrual-like symptoms caused by hormonal treatments containing progestogen? No clear evidence exists, but doctors should recognize that hormonal treatments like contraception can cause PMS-like symptoms cycling with medication use, termed progestogen-induced premenstrual disorder, and manage based on clinical experience. Survey study, 2012 What menstrual and premenstrual symptoms do girls with Rett syndrome experience and how are they treated? Girls with Rett syndrome commonly experience painful periods and PMS symptoms similar to other women, plus some autism-specific symptoms. Hormonal contraception, especially birth control pills, is commonly used to manage them. Lab study, 2012 Does sexual desire change during the menstrual cycle? Yes. Sexual fantasies become more frequent and more arousing around ovulation, and the content shifts to focus more on emotions. This is a reliable finding in this study. Study, 2011 How do women with autism experience menstruation and its symptoms? Women with autism (ages 10-25) commonly experience severe menstrual pain and PMS, but these conditions are often undertreated. Review, 2011 Does drospirenone/ethinylestradiol birth control help PMDD? Yes. This birth control pill combination has shown highly satisfactory results for premenstrual dysphoric syndrome and helps reduce fluid retention and acne. Survey study, 2011 Does being on the birth control pill change how food cravings and hunger shift across the month? Cravings and eating patterns were similar whether or not women were on the pill, both rising before and during the period. Hunger timing differed slightly: non-pill users felt hungrier only before their period, pill users felt hungrier both before and during the hormone-free bleed. Survey study, 2011 Can military women successfully use birth control pills to stop their periods in field conditions? Only 21% of military women used birth control pills continuously during deployment to stop periods, mostly because taking a pill daily in harsh field conditions is difficult. Compliant users had fewer period problems than non-compliant users. Survey study, 2011 Why do some women experience negative mood with hormone changes? The paper proposes that negative mood in PMDD may result from how a brain chemical reacts to receptors. This is a theoretical explanation based on research patterns, not a definitive finding from a new study. Non-randomised trial, 2011 Do women with PMS have worse balance when taking birth control pills? Yes. Women with PMS had significantly worse balance during the active pill phase (when hormones are present) than during the hormone-free phase. Women without PMS showed no difference between phases. Survey study, 2011 Do asthma symptoms get worse around menstruation? In this study of Saudi women with asthma, 8.2% had asthma symptoms that got worse around menstruation. Women with more severe asthma overall were more likely to experience this pattern. Cohort study, 2010 How do anxiety disorders differ across different life stages? The provided summary focuses on anxiety in children and risk factors. The section about women and hormones is cut off in the provided text, so no conclusion about menstrual-related anxiety can be drawn. Study, 2010 Which PMDD medication is most cost-effective? This analysis suggests the birth control pill DRSP/EE may be the most cost-effective option for PMDD treatment, though fluoxetine could be cost-effective depending on how much someone is willing to spend. Study, 2010 Does brain activity change during different phases of the menstrual cycle? Yes. Brain activity during a thinking task differs between different phases of the menstrual cycle and also differs between women and men. This is a small study so the results need confirming. Survey study, 2010 Does the menstrual cycle affect sleep quality in women with sleep problems? Yes. Women with irregular periods were 2.1 times more likely to report trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, but this study only included women who already had sleep complaints. Review, 2010 Does the EE/DRSP birth control pill with shorter placebo days reduce PMS symptoms? The EE/DRSP pill with 24 days of hormones and 4 days of placebo appears to reduce PMS and withdrawal symptoms including mood changes, breast tenderness, headache and pelvic pain. The evidence comes from clinical trials but specific numbers of improvement are not given. Survey study, 2010 Does sexual interest change across the cycle and what role do pain, sleep and hormones play? Overall sexual interest does not change across the cycle, but women not using oral contraceptives show a slight mid-cycle increase in attraction while those using them report greater overall attraction. Pain and sleep disturbances peak during menstruation. Study, 2010 What gynecologic problems do girls with Down syndrome, autism, and cerebral palsy experience? Girls with these developmental disabilities commonly have irregular periods and mood or behavioral changes when they start menstruating. Girls with autism are especially likely to develop behavioral problems related to their periods. 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. Randomised trial, 2010 What treatments have been proven to work for PMS and PMDD? SSRIs and oral contraceptives containing drosperinone have been shown to help PMS and PMDD in clinical trials, but no medication is officially registered for PMS treatment in the Netherlands. Survey study, 2010 Does interest in sexual images change during the menstrual cycle? Interest in sexual images doesn't clearly change based on what cycle phase a woman is in when she views them. However, her cycle phase during first exposure predicts how interested she stays in those images later, especially if first exposed around ovulation. Review, 2009 What medications work for migraines around the menstrual period? Multiple medications have evidence of benefit: sumatriptan, mefenamic acid, and rizatriptan for acute treatment, and estrogen patches, frovatriptan, and naratriptan for prevention. Whether preventive treatment provides significant additional benefit beyond placebo is unclear. Study, 2009 Do women with PMS eat differently during their menstrual cycle? During the second half of their cycle, all women ate more calories from sweet foods, but women with PMS did not eat more food overall. Birth control pills changed these eating patterns. Survey study, 2009 Can long-cycle birth control pills reduce PMS and menstrual symptoms? Long-cycle birth control pills may reduce PMS and related symptoms by lowering hormonal fluctuations. This is based on clinical opinion rather than a controlled trial. Survey study, 2009 Does the menstrual cycle affect how a girl's voice sounds or how she speaks? No, the study found no clear differences in voice pitch, intensity, speed of speech, or other vocal qualities between the two phases of the menstrual cycle. Survey study, 2009 Do female pilots want to suppress their periods with birth control, and does continuous birth control help? Most wanted menstrual suppression but few actually used continuous birth control. Those who did had fewer side effects and were better at remembering to take pills. Survey study, 2009 Are women who have mood problems from birth control pills more likely to have psychiatric disorders? Yes. Women who experienced mood-related side effects from combination birth control pills had higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders compared to women who had no mood problems from the pills. Survey study, 2009 Why do some women feel depressed or anxious when progesterone increases before their period? A literature review suggests progesterone is converted to chemicals that affect the brain's GABA system. At levels before the period, these chemicals paradoxically cause anxiety instead of calming it. Women with PMDD have changes in their GABA system that make them more sensitive. Case report, 2009 Can birth control pills prevent psychotic episodes that happen before menstruation? Yes. Birth control pills prevented psychotic episodes in one woman who had them before her period. Survey study, 2008 How common are menstrual cycle symptoms and how should doctors discuss them? 85% of women experience menstrual cycle changes and up to 40% are bothered by them. Doctors should routinely ask about these symptoms to improve treatment. Non-randomised trial, 2008 Does verbal memory change during different phases of the menstrual cycle or with oral contraceptives? Verbal memory did not change across the natural menstrual cycle, but women taking oral contraceptives showed better verbal memory during the active pill phase. The effect on memory does not match how natural estrogen levels change. Survey study, 2008 Do severe physical symptoms during the menstrual cycle mean a woman will also have worse mood problems? No. Women with severe physical symptoms in the late menstrual cycle phase did not have worse overall psychological symptoms than those without physical symptoms. Only one psychological measure (interpersonal sensitivity) differed. Non-randomised trial, 2008 Do the hormones in birth control pills affect thinking and mood? Yes. The type of hormone affects spatial thinking. Second generation pills improve this performance, while Yasmin reduces it. Effects on mood were not clearly reported. Survey study, 2008 Do healthy women without PMDD have mood changes during their menstrual cycle? Yes, but the changes are small. Healthy women without PMDD showed small increases in anxiety, depression, and other negative mood symptoms from late follicular to late luteal phase. Cohort study, 2008 How many women with asthma have symptoms that worsen around menstruation, and is it consistent across cycles? In this small study, 57% had symptoms that worsened around menstruation, but only 25% had this happen in every cycle. Birth control pills did not appear to prevent premenstrual asthma. Study, 2008 How common is PMDD and how does it affect women's lives? About 5% of menstruating women have severe PMDD with significant impairment in functioning. At least another 20% have clinically significant premenstrual symptoms. PMDD affects romantic relationships, parenting, work, and increases health care use. Study, 2008 What causes severe PMS and how is it treated? Severe PMS is caused by the body's reaction to normal hormone changes during the menstrual cycle. It is treatable with hormonal methods or antidepressants. Survey study, 2008 What are the symptoms and treatment options for menstrual cycle-related problems? Menstrual cycle problems affect up to 2.5 million women yearly with physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms. They can be treated with NSAIDs, lifestyle changes, SSRIs, or birth control pills, with continuous use showing the most promise. Study, 2008 Does YAZ birth control help PMDD symptoms? FDA has approved YAZ for treating PMDD, and two studies showed it helps mood, physical, and behavior symptoms plus symptoms related to food cravings, water retention, and relationship difficulties. Study, 2007 Could a plant from Costa Rica help with period pain and PMS? Lab tests show that extracts from Justicia pectoralis plant have effects on proteins involved in pain and hormones, which could explain its traditional use. However, the plant has not been tested in people with PMS or dysmenorrhea. Review, 2007 Is drospirenone an effective ingredient in birth control pills for PMDD? Birth control pills containing drospirenone appear safer and better tolerated than other low-dose pills for mood changes, acne, and severe PMS (PMDD), with similar overall safety profiles. Non-randomised trial, 2007 Can a birth control pill with ethinylestradiol and drospirenone reduce water retention in PMS? The pill significantly reduced total body water and extracellular water after 6 months. This was a small study without a placebo control, so we cannot be certain the improvement was due to the pill. Non-randomised trial, 2007 Does the contraceptive pill Yasmin ease premenstrual symptoms? In this study, women reported fewer premenstrual symptoms like low mood, poor concentration and water retention after six months on Yasmin, but because there was no comparison group, we cannot be fully sure the pill itself caused the improvement. Study, 2007 Can a certain birth control pill ease the emotional and physical symptoms of PMDD? Yes. This combined birth control pill eased both the emotional and physical symptoms of PMDD, with the dosing pattern thought to play a role in why it worked. Review, 2007 Can birth control pills be tailored to help PMS while reducing side effects? Newer low-dose pills may reduce water retention and weight gain. The right choice depends on each woman's body type and symptoms. Review, 2007 What causes menstrual migraine and how is it treated? Menstrual migraine is triggered by drops in estrogen and causes longer, more severe headaches than non-menstrual migraine. Initial treatment uses specific migraine medications, with hormone therapy as an option if that doesn't work. Review, 2007 Could premenstrual symptoms result from infections that worsen with immune changes? This is a theoretical proposal that PMS may result from infections that flare when hormones suppress immunity. This is speculation, not a research finding. Review, 2007 Does taking birth control to skip your period improve quality of life if you have menstrual problems? Yes. Birth control pills taken continuously to skip periods may improve quality of life and reduce problems caused by monthly periods, such as pain or severe symptoms. Randomised trial, 2007 Does lower-dose estrogen in birth control pills help premenstrual mood more than higher-dose? Yes. Women taking 25 mcg estrogen were significantly more likely to improve in premenstrual mood than those on 35 mcg, though the reason for this is unclear. Survey study, 2007 Do girls with asthma have less PMS? Yes, girls with asthma had significantly lower PMS rates (20%) compared to girls without asthma (46.67%). Randomised trial, 2007 Does the birth control pill containing drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol help treat PMDD? The limited research available suggests it may help, and the pill has good tolerability and other health benefits, but more studies are needed to be sure. Randomised trial, 2007 Do birth control pills help depression that worsens before the period in women on antidepressants? Both women who got additional hormone in the second phase and those who got placebo improved significantly, so we cannot say whether the additional hormone made a difference. Cohort study, 2006 How should severe period pain in teenagers be treated? Regular pain relief medication (NSAIDs) started before periods begin may help. In one teenager, severe pain improved from 8 out of 10 to 5 out of 10. Survey study, 2006 Does the menstrual cycle affect how severe OCD symptoms are? Yes. For many women with OCD, symptoms get worse before their period, with nearly half reporting this pattern. The menstrual cycle should be considered when assessing OCD severity. Survey study, 2006 Do oral contraceptives improve mood in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder? This theoretical review proposes that birth control pills affect mood by changing brain chemicals called neurosteroids, but researchers still disagree on whether the pills improve or worsen mood in PMDD. Review, 2006 How do birth control pills affect brain chemicals that control mood? Birth control pills reduce neuroactive steroid levels in the brain. Since these chemicals help regulate mood, lower levels might explain why some women experience negative mood symptoms on the pill. Review, 2006 Can the hormonal contraceptive drospirenone help treat PMS? This review discusses how drospirenone, a hormonal contraceptive containing 30 mg ethinyl estradiol and 3 mg drospirenone, may help PMS symptoms, possibly through effects on fluid-regulating hormones. Survey study, 2005 Does drospirenone hormone therapy reduce weight gain and PMS-like symptoms? In studies of drospirenone-containing hormone therapy, women had less or no weight gain (mean decrease of 1.2 kg after one year) and improvements in bloating, swelling, breast tenderness, and mood. Survey study, 2005 How common is depression during pregnancy and what causes it? Depression affects about 13.9% of pregnant women in this Lebanese hospital. Risk factors include family history of depression, mood changes before the period, and life stressors like lack of partner support and financial problems. Case report, 2005 Can drospirenone birth control help severe PMS with brain swelling and seizures? In one woman with severe PMS including brain swelling and seizures, treatment with an oral contraceptive containing drospirenone significantly reduced all symptoms and prevented the brain swelling and seizures. 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. Review, 2005 Can a levonorgestrel IUD help with gynecological problems? A levonorgestrel IUD is used for various gynecological conditions. Some women stop using it due to breakthrough bleeding, but counseling can help them continue. Survey study, 2005 Are suicidal attempts more likely during certain phases of the menstrual cycle? Yes. Suicidal attempts were most frequent during the menstrual phase. However, this study only looked at women already hospitalized for attempts, so it cannot tell us the true risk in the general population. Non-randomised trial, 2004 Does serotonin activity change across the menstrual cycle? Yes. Serotonin transporter binding was highest in the late follicular phase (right before ovulation), while serotonin receptor binding was highest in the early follicular and early luteal phases. These changes correlated with estradiol and progesterone levels. Study, 2004 Can extending birth control pills help with period symptoms like pain and headaches? Yes. Most women who tried extending their birth control pills continued using this approach, with 67% still using the extended regimen at their last follow-up visit. Case-control study, 2004 Does hormonal change affect how eyes see light and color? In one woman with PMS, hormone changes during the menstrual cycle affected her ability to see blue colors, with changes up to 1.4 log units. When she started birth control, this pattern changed. Most other women did not show clear cyclic changes. Survey study, 2003 Does a trimonthly birth control pill cost less than a regular pill? Yes, trimonthly pills appear to save money for both society and individual women, but only if they cost about the same as regular pills. Cohort study, 2003 Do women with bipolar disorder experience mood changes across their menstrual cycle? Yes. Most women with bipolar disorder taking medication reported significant mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle, and most also had unusually long menstrual cycles. However, the study was very small. Survey study, 2003 Does crying actually increase before menstruation? Women reported more crying before their period across 33 countries, but when women kept actual diaries of their crying, no real increase appeared in any menstrual phase. The belief may matter more than the actual change. Survey study, 2002 Are psychiatric hospital admissions linked to the menstrual cycle? Yes. About half of the women were admitted during the late luteal or early menstrual phase. Women with schizophrenia who were not suicidal or aggressive were admitted only in the postovulatory phase. Survey study, 2002 What causes period pain, endometriosis, and PMS in teenage girls, and what treatments work? Period pain affects 80-90% of adolescent girls and is caused by chemicals in the uterus and abnormal muscle contractions. Treatment starts with relaxation and pain relief drugs, or hormonal medications if needed. Survey study, 2002 What medical conditions and lifestyle factors affect menstrual cycle patterns? Several factors are linked to abnormal cycle patterns. Higher body weight, depression, starting periods after age 14, smoking, and a history of difficulty getting pregnant are all associated with changes in cycle length. Study, 2002 What causes PMS and how is it treated? The exact cause of PMS is not known, but it is linked to changes in brain chemicals like serotonin and to how the body handles sex hormones. Because the cause is unclear, treatment is tailored to each person's main symptoms rather than following one fixed approach. Review, 2002 Can a birth control pill with drospirenone help PMS symptoms and quality of life? This review discusses that a birth control pill containing ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone may help certain PMS symptoms because drospirenone can reduce water retention and other premenstrual distress. However, the review does not provide specific data on how well it works. Survey study, 2002 How do family, school, health, and relationships affect how teenage girls feel about themselves? Menstrual cycle phase, menstrual problems, family situation, and school type did not affect girls' self-esteem or depression. However, having a romantic partner markedly increased girls' self-evaluation. Survey study, 2002 Does the premenstrual period trigger multiple sclerosis flare-ups in women? In about 42% of women with MS, flare-ups were more likely during the premenstrual phase, suggesting it may be a trigger for some women. The evidence is not definitive as this was a small observational study. Survey study, 2002 Do birth control pills affect mood? Birth control pills help most women's mood by reducing mood swings and sadness during menstruation. However, some women experience worse mood while taking them, especially those with a history of depression or pregnancy mood problems. Randomised trial, 2001 Do changing reproductive hormones disrupt the body's internal clock and cause mood disorders? The authors propose that reproductive hormones may disrupt the body's internal clock in susceptible women, but this is a theory not yet proven. Women have twice the rate of depression as men. Survey study, 2001 Does oral contraceptive use affect daily mood? Yes. Birth control pills can change how mood varies from day to day. The effect depends on what type of pill a woman takes and whether she or her family has a history of psychiatric problems. Survey study, 2001 Does the menstrual cycle phase affect spatial ability? Yes. Women in the luteal phase scored lower on spatial reasoning tests than women in other menstrual phases, but hormone levels didn't explain why. Survey study, 2001 How do steroid hormones affect the brain and cause symptoms? Steroid hormones can rapidly change brain activity and behavior within seconds to minutes. This review discusses these fast effects in relation to premenstrual syndrome and other conditions. Randomised trial, 2001 Why does asthma get worse before a period and how is it treated? Up to 40% of women with asthma experience flare-ups before their period, likely due to female hormones and changes in airway reactivity. Most respond to regular asthma treatment, though some may benefit from hormonal birth control. Survey study, 2001 Does how much you tend to worry affect your mood before your period? Yes. Women who scored higher on a personality test for worry and upset feelings reported more negative mood before their period, even accounting for baseline mood. Women taking birth control pills had higher worry scores. Non-randomised trial, 2000 Does Vitex agnus castus (chasteberry) extract reduce PMS symptoms? Vitex extract reduced PMS symptoms by 42.5% during treatment, with 47% of women experiencing at least 50% improvement. Without a control group, we cannot be certain improvement was from the herb versus placebo or natural improvement. Study, 2000 How does depression in women differ from depression in men, and how can it be treated? Depression is twice as common in women as in men. Women experience different symptoms, different patterns of illness, and may respond differently to treatment. Hormonal changes during menstruation, birth control use, pregnancy, menopause, and aging can trigger or worsen depression. Randomised trial, 2000 Does sertraline help PMDD in women taking birth control pills? Yes, sertraline worked better than placebo in this very small pilot study of 8 women. Survey study, 2000 How do female hormones affect migraines and headaches? Estrogen withdrawal appears to trigger menstrually-related migraines rather than sustained high or low hormone levels. Migraines are much more common in adult women than in men. Survey study, 2000 Does the birth control pill with drospirenone improve mood and skin during the cycle? Yes. Women who took drospirenone-containing pills reported feeling worse, having worse skin and hair, and weighing more after they stopped and switched to standard pills. Survey study, 2000 Do multiple sclerosis symptoms change at different times in the menstrual cycle? It varies. In some women with MS, neurologic symptoms worsened during the 2 weeks before their period. In others, there was no change across the cycle. Some women also had PMS symptoms. Non-randomised trial, 1999 Do menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive use affect how the body reacts to smoking? Yes. Women using oral contraceptives had stronger cardiovascular reactions to smoking than those not using them, and these reactions varied by menstrual cycle phase. This may contribute to increased heart disease risk. Non-randomised trial, 1999 Does your menstrual cycle phase affect how alert and focused you stay during sleep deprivation? Yes, women in the follicular phase were less alert and performed worse on thinking tasks during sleep deprivation, especially at times when body temperature naturally dips. This is a small study without a comparison group. Survey study, 1999 Does the menstrual cycle phase affect how the body responds to stress? Yes. Women in the luteal phase (second half of the cycle) showed higher cortisol responses to a stress test than women in the follicular phase. Survey study, 1999 What causes menstrual migraine and how is it treated? Estrogen withdrawal around menstruation triggers migraines in susceptible women. Treatment includes NSAIDs, triptans, and other medications, with hormonal therapy if needed for severe cases. Survey study, 1999 Do bowel symptoms vary with the menstrual cycle in women with IBS and inflammatory bowel disease? Yes. About two-thirds of women with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis reported that their symptoms got worse with their cycle. Women with IBS and inflammatory bowel disease reported more cyclical changes in bowel habits than women with normal bowel function. Review, 1999 Does the birth control pill help female athletes manage PMS and other health issues? The birth control pill may help athletes control PMS symptoms and menstrual bleeding and may improve athletic performance. Effects on bone health and injury prevention are unclear, and individual responses vary. Case report, 1998 Can birth control pills make premenstrual asthma worse? Yes, in this case. One woman's asthma got much worse after starting birth control pills and improved when she stopped. We cannot know how often this happens from a single case. Case report, 1998 Which hormonal treatments work best for premenstrual syndrome? Estrogen is clearly effective. Progesterone does not work and might even worsen symptoms. Birth control pills help because they contain estrogen. Study, 1998 Do women attempt suicide more often at certain times in their menstrual cycle? Yes. Suicide attempts were most common in the first week of the menstrual cycle (when the period starts), with 36% of attempts happening then. The fourth week (premenstrual) had 29%. Other weeks had lower rates (19% in week 2, 16% in week 3). Review, 1998 What treatments actually help with PMS? This review says treatment depends on your symptoms, and that birth control pills, water pills (diuretics), antidepressants, talk therapy and nutritional supplements have helped some women, while high-dose vitamin B6, progesterone, alprazolam and GnRH agonist drugs are generally not recommended. Survey study, 1997 How common are premenstrual symptoms, what treatments do women use, and do they work? Between 11-32% reported severe or extreme symptoms, and 85% had tried treatments. Women reported that dietary changes, evening primrose oil, vitamins, and exercise worked best. Randomised trial, 1997 Does nomegestrol acetate improve menstrual disorders and PMS? Yes, nomegestrol acetate reduced menstrual loss, with results similar to didrogesteron by the end of the study, though the sample was small. Survey study, 1996 Are women happy taking the birth control pill and what side effects do they experience? Most women are happy with the pill. Periods become shorter and lighter, though some experience weight gain and breast tenderness. Survey study, 1995 How common are PMS and premenstrual symptoms? About 7.7% of women met the strict diagnosis for PMS, but 42.4% had some premenstrual symptoms. Age, oral contraceptive use, and life circumstances affected whether women had symptoms. Cohort study, 1995 Does norethisterone enantate, an injectable contraceptive, help PMS? Yes, though the study is very small. Women on norethisterone enantate had significantly fewer and less severe symptoms compared to women on oral contraceptive pills. Survey study, 1995 What side effects do women experience from birth control pills? Over half reported no change. Most women who did notice a change said it was negative. Only pelvic pain improved with birth control use. Non-randomised trial, 1994 Is there a blood cell marker linked to PMS symptoms? Possibly, but we cannot be confident. A small pilot study found a link between a cell transport mechanism and premenstrual symptom severity in the week before the period, but the groups were too small to confirm this. Cohort study, 1994 Who finds cervical laser surgery painful? Young women who have never given birth, are anxious, or have a history of painful periods experience more pain during cervical surgery. Premenstrual syndrome scores did not predict surgical pain. Survey study, 1993 Does the menstrual cycle affect how well female athletes perform? Athletic performance may vary across the menstrual cycle, with better performance right after the period ends and worse performance during the premenstrual time and first few days of menstruation. However, research results have been inconsistent. Survey study, 1993 Does cognitive ability change during different phases of the menstrual cycle? No. Women performed equally well on verbal and spatial thinking tests regardless of menstrual cycle phase. Case-control study, 1992 Is premenstrual tension a risk factor for ovarian cancer? This study found that premenstrual tension is not a risk factor for ovarian cancer, though older age at menopause and hot flashes were associated with increased risk. Non-randomised trial, 1992 Does a new birth control pill with norgestimate control the menstrual cycle well? Yes. Most women had normal bleeding patterns with minimal clinically insignificant changes in flow, cramps, and premenstrual tension. The large sample makes this strong, but no control group limits what we can conclude about the pill itself. Survey study, 1992 Can daily symptom tracking reliably diagnose PMS? No. Five different rating methods that doctors have used to diagnose PMS from daily symptom tracking could not reliably separate women with diagnosed PMS from women without symptoms. Survey study, 1991 Does how you smell things change during the menstrual cycle? How sensitive women were to smells did not change during the menstrual cycle. However, how much women liked one smell (androstenone) showed a clear pattern across the cycle, peaking at ovulation. Survey study, 1991 Do birth control pills affect mood during the menstrual cycle? Yes. Women taking birth control pills reported more positive feelings than those not taking them, with positive feelings higher than negative feelings throughout the cycle for both groups. Lab study, 1991 Does your mood and how your body feels change during your menstrual cycle? Yes. Both women with normal cycles and those with irregular cycles reported more negative moods and worse physical feelings in the premenstrual phase than in the middle of their cycle. Review, 1991 What treatments are available for late luteal phase dysphoric disorder? Many treatments exist, including medications, vitamins, and hormones. However, non-drug approaches like diet, exercise, and psychotherapy have received less research attention. Study, 1990 Does the menstrual cycle change how much lithium stays in your blood? No. The menstrual cycle does not appear to affect blood lithium levels. Survey study, 1990 What factors are linked to women saying they have PMS? In a survey of 5457 women, 61% reported PMS. Women were more likely to report PMS if they had longer menstrual cycles or higher stress. Non-randomised trial, 1990 Does testosterone affect sexual behavior differently in pill users versus non-users? Birth control pill users and non-users had similar sexual activity overall. Only non-users showed cycle-related drops in testosterone and matched decreases in sexual desire. Testosterone levels did not predict actual sexual activity in either group. Survey study, 1989 Do women experience positive changes during the premenstrual week? Two-thirds of healthy women report positive premenstrual changes like increased sex drive, energy, and creativity. These positive changes tend to occur opposite to negative changes. Survey study, 1989 What premenstrual symptoms do adolescent girls experience? Almost all adolescent girls report premenstrual symptoms. Most commonly they experience physical discomfort, water retention, and fatigue, along with mood changes like depression and impulsive behavior. Survey study, 1989 Does exercise, rest, or vitamin B6 help PMS symptoms? Yes. Exercise, rest, and keeping a symptom diary helped over 80% of women who tried them. Cohort study, 1989 Are soccer injuries more common at certain times of the menstrual cycle? Women soccer players had more traumatic injuries during the premenstrual and menstrual period compared to other times in their cycle, especially if they had symptoms like irritability, breast swelling, or abdominal swelling. Women using birth control pills had significantly fewer injuries. Study, 1988 Does estrogen therapy change hormones that affect fluid retention in women with PMS? When women take birth control pills, certain hormones increase, but this change does not happen in women taking hormone replacement or women with PMS. These hormones probably do not directly cause PMS. Study, 1988 Does fluid around the brain change before your period? Yes, fluid around the brain increased in nearly all women before menstruation. However, this happened because the brain itself became slightly smaller, not because the brain was swelling. Survey study, 1988 Do mood and sexual interest change during the cycle, and do birth control pills change these patterns? Most women reported the lowest well-being and sexual interest before their period and highest after it. Birth control pills flatten these variations, with different types of pills having different effects. Study, 1987 What are two newer progesterone-like medicines used for? This is a descriptive overview of two progesterone-like medicines, nomegestrol acetate and promegestone, covering their properties and uses. It does not report a study testing them on patients, so it cannot show how well they actually work. Survey study, 1987 Do oral contraceptive pills reduce premenstrual symptoms? Pills reduce some specific symptoms like anxiety, mood changes, and water retention. However, women on pills reported similar total numbers of symptoms as those not on pills. Study, 1986 Do birth control pills reduce mood and body changes around menstruation? No. Women on birth control pills reported the same patterns of mood and body changes around menstruation as women not on pills. Survey study, 1986 Do suicide attempts happen more often at certain times of the menstrual cycle? In women not using birth control, suicide attempts clustered in the first week of the menstrual cycle (42%) and after the fourth week (12%), when hormone levels are low. This pattern did not appear in women using birth control. Survey study, 1986 Is severe premenstrual syndrome similar to depression? Women with severe PMS report more depressive-like symptoms than those with mild PMS. The study suggests these may reflect underlying depression, but as a survey without medical testing, we cannot be sure. Study, 1985 Is a hormonal problem the cause of PMS? No clear hormonal abnormality has been found in women with PMS. Only 2-8% of women report severe PMS, and some may be biologically vulnerable, possibly due to how they respond to hormones. Survey study, 1985 What is premenstrual syndrome and how is it treated? Premenstrual syndrome is a collection of physical and emotional symptoms that affect 5 to 20 percent of menstruating women. Treatment options include lifestyle changes, counseling, medication, and birth control pills, and satisfaction with treatment is commonly achievable. Review, 1985 What is the best approach to treating PMS? Start with reassurance, dietary changes, and regular exercise. If that does not work, add vitamin B6, and optionally vitamin E or zinc. If still not effective, add a diuretic or natural progesterone. For very resistant cases, bromocriptine or danazol may be considered. Survey study, 1984 How do pain sensitivity and anxiety change through the menstrual cycle? Anxiety and a brain chemical were only linked during the menstrual phase. Pain sensitivity did not clearly change through the cycle. Case report, 1984 Can oral contraceptives help treat premenstrual depression? Yes. One 20-year-old woman was successfully treated for both premenstrual depression and a major depression using an oral contraceptive. Study, 1984 Does the menstrual cycle affect how fast women think and react? Women using oral contraceptives reacted noticeably slower than women not using contraceptives during their menstrual and premenstrual phases. The cycle's effects on thinking speed varied between the first and second menstrual cycles studied. Study, 1983 What causes premenstrual mood changes—hormones, psychology, or both? Premenstrual mood changes are most likely caused by ovarian hormones like progesterone and estrogen, but psychology and personality also play a role. About 30% of women of reproductive age experience these changes. Study, 1983 Does the menstrual cycle affect the ability to find hidden shapes in pictures? Maybe, but it depends. Psychology students made more errors during the middle of their cycle, but nursing students didn't show this pattern. Non-randomised trial, 1983 Do drugs that block prostaglandins help PMS? This paper proposes that prostaglandin-blocking drugs might help PMS based on a theory, but it does not present results from a clinical trial. Non-randomised trial, 1982 Does alcohol affect anxiety differently in women versus men, and does menstrual cycle phase matter? Yes. For women at the premenstruum, expecting alcohol increased reported anxiety, but actual alcohol appeared to reduce tension. Men showed increased physical stress responses but no reduction in negative emotions. The study suggests menstrual cycle phase may influence how women respond to alcohol. Non-randomised trial, 1982 Does your menstrual cycle affect how your brain works and how well you do on mental tasks? Yes, brain activity and task performance change across the cycle, with performance best around ovulation and worst in the late luteal phase. Oral contraceptives eliminate these changes. This is a very small study with no control group. Case report, 1982 Can menstruation cause extreme sleepiness? One 16-year-old girl experienced 1 to 2 weeks of extreme sleepiness linked to her menstrual cycle. The sleepiness completely stopped when she took a birth control pill that prevented ovulation. Survey study, 1982 What percentage of women have premenstrual tension symptoms? Half the women in the study had at least one type of premenstrual tension symptom. Anxiety and mood changes, and swelling and bloating, were the most common types. Review, 1982 What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome? No single treatment works for all women. Many different drugs have been tested but show inconsistent results. About 50% of improvement appears to be placebo effect. Study, 1982 Does vitamin B6 help side effects from birth control pills? Research over 15 years shows that women on birth control pills often have low vitamin B6 levels. Taking 40 mg of vitamin B6 daily improved these levels and relieved symptoms like depression, anxiety, and low libido. Case report, 1981 How do hormonal birth control and progesterone affect mood? Hormonal birth control affects mood differently in different women. In some, it causes depression and loss of sexual desire. In others, it has mood-stabilizing effects and can reduce PMS. How progesterone and hormonal birth control affect mood varies from person to person. Review, 1980 How can doctors treat menstrual pain? Birth control pills and ibuprofen-like drugs (NSAIDs) can treat almost all menstrual pain, using imaging tests to identify the cause. This is a review of clinical practice from 1980. Study, 1980 Does sexual arousal change during the menstrual cycle? Yes, when women report without knowing the study tracks cycles, sexual arousal is lowest when progesterone is high and highest around ovulation. When women know what's being tracked, they report differently, showing that awareness affects how people report feelings. Study, 1980 How do birth control pills affect renin levels in the body and uterus? Birth control pills lower renin in the bloodstream but raise related substances in the uterus. The highest activity of these substances occurs before menstruation. Survey study, 1979 Do moods and enjoyment of activities change during the menstrual cycle? When healthy women kept daily records, there were no clear changes in mood or enjoyment of activities during different cycle phases. But when they looked back on a monthly questionnaire about menstrual distress, they reported the typical cycle-related differences. Survey study, 1979 Are moods linked to hormone levels during the menstrual cycle? In this group of healthy women, mood and enjoyment of activities did not change during different cycle phases, and there was no relationship between mood and the levels of reproductive hormones. Survey study, 1979 Can menstrual pain and discomfort be divided into two distinct types? No. A statistical analysis of symptom patterns found seven different symptom groupings rather than two types, and women commonly experienced both premenstrual and menstrual symptoms together. Study, 1978 Do women blame the menstrual cycle for their moods and symptoms? Women's beliefs about whether their moods come from the cycle vary depending on pill use. Pill users thought the cycle caused their premenstrual moods more often than non-pill users. Survey study, 1977 Do women perceive more tension and pressure just before their period? Yes, women not taking birth control pills perceived significantly more pressure just before and during menstruation compared to mid-cycle. Women on birth control pills had stable perceptions throughout their cycle. Survey study, 1976 Does how energized you feel change during your menstrual cycle? Yes. Women feel most activated and energized right before their period. Women taking birth control pills show a different pattern. Review, 1971 Could hormone-driven changes in brain chemicals explain premenstrual mood swings? This 1971 review suggests that shifting levels of ovarian hormones (estrogen, progesterone, aldosterone) during the cycle may affect mood by altering brain chemicals called monoamines, but this is a theory built from combining older human and animal studies, not a new trial in women with PMS. Show more studies Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗