Birth Control Pills

Some women who need contraception find that the the synthetic hormones in oral contraceptives which inhibit ovulation also seem to supress the symptoms of PMS in the second half of their cycles. On the other hand, using oral contraceptives can also make some women feel worse. Of course, you should consult your doctor about whether oral contraceptives are a good and safe strategy for dealing with your PMS.

Currently popular choices of oral contraceptives that also help with PMS include the third-generation lower-estrogen pills such as Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Ortho Try-Cyclen Lo, Mircette and their various generic forms, as well as the NuvaRing vaginal delivery method. The new Yasmin pill and lower dose Yaz have been shown in studies to have a significant impact on mood and physical symptoms, leading to their heavy marketing toward PMS and PMDD sufferers.

Changing the pattern of birth control pill usage is coming into increased favor now too, either by shortening the pill-free (placebo) interval at the end of each pack cycle, or by extending the length of cycles so that the women on them bleed every 6–12 weeks rather than every four. Seasonale (or the newer Seasonique) is a formulation that has been formally packaged with this strategy in mind. Others oral contraceptives may also be used in this fashion under the guidance of a healthcare practitioner.