Drospirenone/EE vs Placebo for PMDD: RCT
Obstetrics & Gynecology (2005)
Significantly reduced PMDD symptom scores across emotional and physical domains, leading to FDA approval.
How it works
Marek's Guided Optimization® Program combines advanced lab testing, a dedicated health coach and medical provider, and a personalized treatment plan, all built around your data.
Resources
The process
1
Start your assessment
Complete your 45-min intake assessment
2
Get your labs drawn
4,000 partnered lab locations nationwide
3
Review with your coach
Screen-by-screen lab review
4
Receive your protocol
Treatment delivered to your door
Why Marek
The only program pairing you with a dedicated health coach and medical provider, built on precision diagnostics, with no subscription required.
Resources
Meet our co-founder
Derek
Co-Founder · MPMD Podcast
"Over time, I found it incredibly difficult to get medical oversight for myself and my family that reflected the latest research, and that was preventative. That's why I started Marek Health."
Excellent on Trustpilot
What we test
Every client's lab panel is hand-selected from 1,000+ available biomarkers, built around their specific goals.
Panel categories
Resources
Treatments
700+ medical provider-prescribed therapies built from your labs. Browse by category or explore the full formulary.
Yaz (Drospirenone + Ethinyl Estradiol)
Oral tablet (3mg/0.02mg), 24/4 regimenAvailable in all 50 statesMarketing purposes only. Actual medications, if prescribed, are dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.
hormones
Yaz (Drospirenone + Ethinyl Estradiol)Yaz (Drospirenone + Ethinyl Estradiol)
Combined oral contraceptive with drospirenone (spironolactone-derived progestin) offering antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic properties. FDA-approved for contraception, PMDD, and acne.
Dual contraception + PMDD management
Antiandrogenic properties reduce acne/hirsutism
Minimizes fluid retention vs other COCs
24/4 dosing reduces hormone-free interval symptoms
No commitment · HSA/FSA eligibleNo commitment · HSA/FSA eligible
How it works
Mechanism of action
EE suppresses FSH to prevent follicular development; drospirenone suppresses LH to prevent ovulation. Antimineralocorticoid activity blocks aldosterone reducing fluid retention. Antiandrogenic activity reduces sebum and acne.
The baseline panel.
Every Marek client receives this baseline panel before a provider review. Your provider may add additional biomarkers based on your health history, symptoms, and goals, pulling from 1,000+ available markers. See more biomarkers →
Hormone Profile
12 markers
Sex hormones
- Total TestosteroneLC/MS
- Free TestosteroneEquilibrium Dialysis
- Estradiol, Sensitive / UltrasensitiveLC/MS
- Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
- ProgesteroneLC/MSFemale panel
- Prolactin
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- hCG, Total, QuantitativeFemale panel, pre-menopause
Adrenals & neurosteroids
- Cortisol
- DHEA-S
Growth hormone / IGF-1
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-1)
Thyroid Status
3 markers
Thyroid hormones
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Free T4
- Free T3
Heart Health
9 markers
Cardiovascular health
- Total Cholesterol
- HDL Cholesterol
- LDL Cholesterol
- LDL:HDL Ratio
- VLDL Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Apolipoprotein-B (ApoB)
- C-Reactive Protein, High Sensitivity (hsCRP)
- Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a))
Metabolism
3 markers
Insulin sensitivity
- Blood Glucose
- Fasting Insulin
- HbA1c
Organ Function
26 markers
Liver & pancreas
- AST
- ALT
- Bilirubin, Total
- γ-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
Kidney function
- BUN
- Creatinine w/ eGFR
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Glucose
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
- Creatinine
- eGFR
- BUN/Creatinine Ratio
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Carbon Dioxide, Total
- Calcium
- Protein, Total
- Albumin
- Globulin, Total
- Albumin/Globulin (A/G) Ratio
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
- AST
- ALT
Prostate health
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)Male panel
- Free PSAMale panel
- % Free PSAMale panel
Nutrient Status
31 markers
Vitamins & minerals
- Vitamin D, 25-OHD (25-Hydroxy)
- Magnesium, RBC
Iron status
- Iron
- Iron Saturation
- TIBC
- UIBC
- Ferritin
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- White Blood Count (WBC)
- Red Blood Count (RBC)
- Hemoglobin (Hgb)
- Hematocrit (HCT)
- MCV
- MCH
- MCHC
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
- Platelets
- Neutrophils
- Neutrophils (Absolute)
- Lymphocytes
- Lymphocytes (Absolute)
- Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio
- Monocytes
- Monocytes (Absolute)
- Eosinophils
- Eosinophils (Absolute)
- Basophils
- Basophils (Absolute)
- Immature Cells
- Immature Granulocytes
- Immature Granulocytes (Absolute)
- NRBC, w/ Reflex for Immature Cells
Clinical evidence
The research behind Yaz (Drospirenone + Ethinyl Estradiol).
Safety profile
Monitoring & safety information.
Commonly reported side effects
- Nausea
- Breast tenderness
- Headache
- Spotting
- Mood changes
- Decreased libido
Less common but serious risks
- VTE (slightly higher than levonorgestrel COCs)
- Arterial thrombosis (especially smokers >35)
- Hyperkalemia (with ACEi, ARBs, K-sparing diuretics)
Generally not appropriate for
- Smoking in women >35
- History of VTE or arterial thromboembolism
- Migraine with aura
- Liver tumor/impairment
- Conditions predisposing to hyperkalemia
Typical monitoring
- Blood pressure
- Serum potassium (if concurrent K-affecting meds)
- Lipid panel annually
FAQ
Quick answers.
Combined oral contraceptive with drospirenone (spironolactone-derived progestin) offering antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic properties. FDA-approved for contraception, PMDD, and acne.
Dual contraception + PMDD management. Antiandrogenic properties reduce acne/hirsutism. Minimizes fluid retention vs other COCs. 24/4 dosing reduces hormone-free interval symptoms.
Common side effects include: nausea, breast tenderness, headache, spotting, mood changes, decreased libido. Most side effects are dose-dependent and may resolve with continued use or dose adjustment.
Combined oral contraceptive with drospirenone (spironolactone-derived progestin) offering antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic properties. FDA-approved for contraception, PMDD, and acne.
Treatments are dependent on licensed clinical prescription. Client costs vary based on individual labs and panel in treatments and services.