Best Birth Control Pill for Premenstrual Syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome occurs within 14 days before menstruation and ends after menstruation begins. Monthly symptoms can include depression, angry outbursts, fatigue, acne, headaches, bloating, food cravings and edema. Because PMS is caused by hormonal fluctuations, regulating hormone cycles with birth control pills is a frequent treatment for PMS.

Yasmin

• Yasmin is a relatively new low-hormone birth control pill introduced in the U.S. market in 2001. There are two types of Yasmin. One uses a 28-pill pack, where the first 21 pills contain estrogen and progestin and the last seven pills contain no hormone, thus allowing menstruation. A newer formulation uses 24 pills with lower doses of hormone, followed by four pills with no hormones. Although other birth control pills are effective in treating PMS, Yasmin is approved by the FDA for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, an especially severe form of PMS. In addition to reducing PMS and PMDD symptoms, Yasmin can reduce acne, premenstrual weight gain and water retention.

Birth Control With Combined Hormones

• Combination birth control pills contain the hormones estrogen and progestin. These pills often work well for relieving PMS symptoms. Because each type contains different ratios of the two hormones, ask your doctor which is the best pill for you.
  Combination pills can be taken in a number of ways, including a 28-pill pack that has 21 active pills and seven placebos. The 21-day packs do not contain the placebo pills.
  Seasonale is a 91-day cycle pill that will allow menstruation only four times per year.
  In 2007, the FDA approved Lybrel, the first continuous-use birth control pill that stops menstruation entirely.

Progeterone Only Pills

• Some birth control pills contain only the hormone progesterone. Although effective as birth control, progesterone-only pills are not effective for the treatment of PMS. In fact, in some cases they can make PMS and PMDD symptoms more severe.