UNC trial: oral contraceptives may ease suffering of women with ...(nuous low-dose contraceptives are effect...),Health

Women with severe premenstrual symptoms who are medically healthy and not currently taking psychotropic medicines for PMDD are invited to enroll in the trial. "Many women in our previous studies felt better knowing they were contributing to furthering our knowledge about this disorder and informing subsequent treatment options," Girdler said.

And even those who are not accepted will derive benefit from participating. "We can give them a gold-standard diagnosis if they do have PMDD; and if they have something else we can help them find treatment for it," Girdler added.

That knowledge can provide comfort to women struggling with the disorder. "Now that I've got the diagnosis," Dilweg said, "I know what to do and where to go. I have all the information and I know help is there. There's such a peace of mind from that."

There is also hope. "The more we understand, the better we can treat it, and the better for everyone," Dilweg said. "There is so much lost productivity in women with PMDD. Just think how much more a woman could accomplish if she didn't have to lose so much of herself and her energy every month."

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