Effects of a Low-Dose Desogestrel-Ethinylestradiol Combination on Hirsutism, Androgens, and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
January 1985
in “
Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica
”
New to Ethinylestradiol? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary This study found that an 8-month treatment with a low-dose oral contraceptive significantly reduced testosterone levels and hair growth in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and hirsutism, with minimal side effects. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The study involved 20 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) and hirsutism who were treated with a low-dose oral contraceptive containing 0.150 mg desogestrel and 0.030 mg ethinylestradiol for 8 months. Compared to 22 regularly menstruating women, PCO women had higher levels of free and total testosterone, androstenedione, body weight, blood pressure, hair diameter, and depilation frequency, with lower sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) binding capacity. Post-treatment, total and free testosterone levels decreased, SHBG binding capacity increased five-fold, body weight decreased in obese women, hair growth was suppressed, hair became less coarse, and depilation intervals lengthened. Acne disappeared, blood pressure remained unchanged, and few mild side effects were noted. Additionally, 3 women became pregnant, and 8 experienced the return of spontaneous menstruations.
