Efficacy of Cyproterone Acetate and Drospirenone Containing Oral Contraceptive Pills in Treatment of Hirsutism in Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

September 2023 in “ Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College/Journal Rawalpindi Medical College ”

Nurain Baig Mughal Maria Sarfraz, Hina Akram, Afroza Abbas, Sadaf Shaheen, Rameez Zafar, Eesha Yaqoob

cyproterone acetate drosperinone oral contraceptive pills hirsutism polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS Ferriman-Gallwey score levonorgestrel OCPs birth control pills

TLDR Birth control pills with cyproterone acetate and drosperinone can reduce excessive hair growth in women with PCOS, but they may not be right for everyone.

The study investigated the effectiveness of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) containing cyproterone acetate and drosperinone in treating hirsutism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It included 80 participants, with 40 in the intervention group receiving the OCPs and 40 in the control group receiving a placebo for 6 months. The efficacy was measured using the Ferriman-Gallwey score before and after treatment. The results showed that the OCPs with cyproterone acetate and drosperinone were more effective in reducing hirsutism than those containing levonorgestrel. However, the conclusion emphasizes that OCPs may not be suitable for all women with PCOS and the potential risks and benefits should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

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Research cited in this study

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American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Endocrinology, and Androgen Excess and PCOS Society Disease State Clinical Review: Guide to the Best Practices in the Evaluation and Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - Part 1

research American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Endocrinology, and Androgen Excess and PCOS Society Disease State Clinical Review: Guide to the Best Practices in the Evaluation and Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - Part 1

343 citations, October 2015 in “Endocrine Practice”

The guide recommends specific methods for diagnosing PCOS and various treatments for its symptoms, while considering the health impacts on adolescents.

research Interventions for Hirsutism (Excluding Laser and Photoepilation Therapy Alone)

33 citations, April 2015 in “Cochrane library”

Some medicines can reduce excessive hair growth in women, but more research is needed to compare treatments and consider side effects.

research Medical Treatment of Hirsutism

66 citations, September 2008 in “Dermatologic therapy”

The conclusion is that the best initial treatment for hirsutism is usually oral contraceptives, with the addition of antiandrogens or insulin sensitizers if needed, and topical eflornithine or laser treatments as supplementary options.

research Use of Ethinylestradiol/Drospirenone Combination in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

52 citations, April 2008 in “Therapeutics and clinical risk management”

The birth control combination of ethinylestradiol and drospirenone helps treat symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome.

research Diagnosis of Hyperandrogenism: Clinical Criteria

85 citations, June 2006 in “Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

The document concludes that hirsutism is the main sign for diagnosing hyperandrogenism, which requires a detailed patient history and physical exam.

research Hirsutism and Acne in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

169 citations, August 2004 in “Baillière's best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology/Baillière's best practice and research in clinical obstetrics and gynaecology”

Lower doses of treatments for hirsutism and acne in PCOS are effective and cause fewer side effects.

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research Metformin or Antiandrogen in the Treatment of Hirsutism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

192 citations, September 2003 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

Metformin is effective for treating excessive hair growth in women with PCOS and may work better than the standard treatment in some ways.

Efficacy of Cyproterone Acetate and Drospirenone Containing Oral Contraceptive Pills in Treatment of Hirsutism in Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Research cited in this study

research American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Endocrinology, and Androgen Excess and PCOS Society Disease State Clinical Review: Guide to the Best Practices in the Evaluation and Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - Part 1

research Interventions for Hirsutism (Excluding Laser and Photoepilation Therapy Alone)

research Medical Treatment of Hirsutism

research Use of Ethinylestradiol/Drospirenone Combination in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

research Diagnosis of Hyperandrogenism: Clinical Criteria

research Hirsutism and Acne in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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