Oral Contraceptive May Be Effective In Treating Severe Form Of PMS.(Brief Article)

2001 SEP 13 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Results from a double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the Journal of Women's Health and Gender-Based Medicine show that the combination of the progestin drospirenone with the estrogen ethinyl estradiol may be beneficial in treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

PMDD, a distinct medical condition characterized by severe monthly mood swings and physical symptoms that interfere with everyday life, has a noted impact on a woman's relationship with her family and friends. Cyclic symptoms of depressed mood, anxiety, irritability, breast tenderness, and bloating go far beyond those associated with typical or common PMS.

PMDD sufferers experience symptoms that occur during the week or two before the menstrual period and disappear within four days of the onset of menstruation. Definitive cases include symptoms documented daily for at least two consecutive menstrual cycles.

"While oral contraceptives are among the most widely prescribed products available, they are largely understudied for the treatment of PMS and PMDD," said Dr. Andrea J. Rapkin, an author of the study and University of California, Los Angeles, professor of obstetrics and gynecology. "The results of our study suggest that [the oral contraceptive] Yasmin, with its unique combination of drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, holds promise for reducing PMDD symptoms and its disruptive and impairing affect on women's lives."

Drospirenone is different from the progestins currently available in other oral contraceptives. Drospirenone is chemically related to spironolactone, a ...