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    Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Female -- Periods > PMS and the pill?
    Posted on: 06/18/2007

    Question

    I get PMS weeks before I get my period (which is irregular, occuring every 45-60 days on average), and sometimes the same PMS symptoms afterwards as well. Would/could going on the Pill help reduce my irritability and mood swings? Is there any other option?

    Answer

    Sometimes taking the pill seems to help relieve women of their PMS symptoms. Other times it doesn't seem to help much except if they take the birth control pills continuously. If you take the bcps continuously, you never have a withdrawal from the hormones and this seems to help keep your mood in steady state. Other alternatives include, regular exercise, regular sleep cycles, and healthy lifestyle habits which can greatly reduce PMS symptoms without any medications!


    Answered By:
    Nicole Hong , M.D.


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