Contraceptive pills effective for controlling severe premenstrual disorder

According to a recently concluded study, a low dose of oral contraceptive shows as much efficacy as the standard treatment for the most severe form of premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Kimberly Yonkers, M.D., associate professor in the departments of Psychiatry and Epidemiology and Public Health and lead author of the study, remarked that individuals with this complication generally cyclical mood, behavioral and physical symptoms.

From News-medical.net:

In this multi-center, double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 450 women ages 18 to 40, from 64 medical centers across the country with symptoms of PMDD, were given either the oral contraceptive or a placebo.

It was found that the women who were given the oral contraceptive had significantly greater improvement, over 48 percent compared to 36 percent, of women on the placebo.

They experienced greater enjoyment of hobbies, social activities, and interpersonal relationships, and greater symptom reduction.

It seems that forty-four women from both groups withdrew from the study due to adverse effects such as nausea and intermenstrual bleeding.

The low dose oral contraceptive contained drospirenone, a new progestin, and ethinyl estradiol.

In the study it was taken for 24 days followed by four days of inactive pills, which differs from traditional courses of therapy which have seven days of inactive pills.

It was remarked by researchers at Yale School of Medicine that a low dose of oral contraceptive with a unique progestin and dosing regimen is good enough for treating PMDD along with suppressing ovarian activity.