Oral Contraceptives
Oral contraceptives are only effective against PMS if they both estrogen and a progestin. Progestin-only pills or mini-pills, for women who are breastfeeding, have high blood pressure, or are at risk of blood clots, don't provide any PMS benefit. Obviously, these drugs are appropriate for women who are interested in as well as in PMS-symptom relief.
Several different brands of oral contraceptives are prescribed PMS, including Ortho-Novum, Loestrin, Mircette, Triphasil, These drugs are all known as “triphasic” contraceptives; is, they vary the progestin/estrogen ratios in three phases course of the month. This triphasic pattern more naturally a woman's menstrual cycle. In contrast, monophasic pills have same dose of each hormone in each active pill, while biphasic vary the ratio in two phases.
Essential
Oral contraceptives contain one of two different estrogens, ethinyl estradiol or mestranol, and several different types of progestins. Most oral contraceptives contain ethinyl estradiol. For example, Ortho-Novum contains ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone, Loestrin contains ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone, Mircette contains ethinyl estradiol/desogestrel, Triphasil contains ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel,and Yasmin contains ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone.
A 2001 study published in the
Oral contraceptives also have other benefits beside PMS relief and pregnancy prevention. For example, they can prevent or reduce acne by reducing androgens (male hormones); relieve menstrual pain, prevent some types of ovarian cysts, and protect against the symptoms of fibrocystic breast disease.
Alert
Drospirenone contains potassium. Yasmin is the only oral contraceptive that contains drospirenone; it should not be taken by women who have kidney, liver, or adrenal disease, take potassium-sparing diuretics (such as spironolactone), potassium supplements, blood thinners, and use NSAIDs over the long-term.
