Which regimen is suggested for patients with mood changes or disorders?

• A. Monophasic COC with extended cycle
• B. Daily estrogen-progestin with missed doses
• C. Progestin-only daily
• D. Non-hormonal contraception

Answer: (A)

The main idea is to minimize hormonal fluctuations that can influence mood. A monophasic combined oral contraceptive delivers the same amount of estrogen and progestin every day, avoiding the big hormonal swings that happen mid-cycle. When this steady exposure is paired with an extended-cycle pattern (fewer menstrual periods per year), there are fewer withdrawal bleeds and less cyclical hormonal withdrawal, which can help stabilize mood in people who are sensitive to hormonal changes.

Other regimens either introduce more variability or rely on different hormone dynamics. A regimen that depends on missing doses causes unpredictable hormone levels and can worsen mood instability and pregnancy risk. A progestin-only daily approach may still affect mood in some individuals and lacks the stabilizing estrogen component. Non-hormonal contraception avoids hormones altogether but does not address mood symptoms related to hormonal fluctuations.

So, keeping hormones at a steady level with a monophasic pill used in an extended-cycle schedule offers the best chance of reducing mood-related symptoms while providing contraception.