Effects of a Low-Dose Desogestrel-Ethinylestradiol Combination on Hirsutism, Androgens, and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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.