The Effect of an Oral Contraceptive Containing Ethinylestradiol and Desogestrel on Hair Growth and Hormonal Parameters of Hirsute Women

October 1986 in “ International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics ”

Kristiina Ruutiainen

ethinylestradiol desogestrel oral contraceptive hirsutism testosterone sex hormone binding globulin dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate EE-DG birth control pill DHEAS SHBG

Studysummary This study found that the combination of ethinylestradiol and desogestrel significantly decreased hair growth and hormone levels in hirsute women, suggesting a relationship between hormone changes and treatment effectiveness. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

A study involving 22 hirsute women treated with an oral contraceptive containing 0.030 mg of ethinylestradiol and 0.150 mg of desogestrel (EE-DG) for 6 or 12 months showed a decrease in hair growth in 17 participants after 6 months. The treatment led to a significant reduction in the testosterone/sex hormone binding globulin (T/SHBG) ratio and serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) levels. There was a correlation between changes in hirsutism and the T/SHBG ratio (rho 0.36, P < 0.05). The study suggested that the therapeutic effect of EE-DG was due to combined changes in hormone levels.

View this study on obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

3 / 3 results

research The Grade of Hirsutism Correlated to Serum Androgen Levels and Hormonal Indices

18 citations , January 1985 in “Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica”

In this study of hirsute women, researchers found that correlations between hirsutism and hyperandrogenism were observed only in patients with a low LH/FSH ratio.

research The Treatment of Hirsutism with a Combination of Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol

64 citations , January 1985 in “Clinical endocrinology”

In this study, treatment with the oral contraceptive containing 30 μg ethinyl oestradiol and 150 μg desogestrel significantly reduced androgen-dependent hair growth in hirsute women over one year.

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

53 citations , January 1985 in “Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica”

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.