Effectiveness of Low-Dose Ethinylestradiol/Cyproterone Acetate and Ethinylestradiol/Desogestrel with and without Metformin on Hirsutism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Triple-Dummy Study

The study assessed the effectiveness of low-dose ethinylestradiol/cyproterone acetate (EE/CPA) and ethinylestradiol/desogestrel (EE/DES), with and without metformin, on hirsutism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) over 12 months, involving 99 participants. Both EE/CPA and EE/DES significantly reduced the Modified Ferriman-Gallwey Score (mFGS), indicating a reduction in hirsutism, but adding metformin did not provide additional benefits. Hair diameter reduction was significant only with EE/DES plus metformin, while hair density reduction was significant with EE/CPA alone. All treatments improved patients' perceptions of hirsutism and increased chin hair growth rate. The study concluded that EE/CPA and EE/DES are equally effective in treating hirsutism in PCOS, with no added benefit from metformin.