The Role of Oral Contraceptives in the Treatment of Hyperandrogenic Disorders
January 1995
in “
The American journal of medicine
”
oral contraceptives hyperandrogenic disorders hirsutism acne gonadotropins androgens androgen binding adrenal androgen secretion 5α-reductase androgen receptor binding anovulatory hyperandrogenic states polycystic ovary syndrome estrogen-dominant oral contraceptives endometrial hyperplasia norgestimate desogestrel birth control pills PCOS 5-alpha-reductase androgen receptor
Studysummary This study discusses the use of oral contraceptives as a treatment for hyperandrogenism, showing improvement in hirsutism and acne for many women and possibly providing metabolic benefits with certain formulations. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The document from 1995 discusses the use of oral contraceptives as a treatment for hyperandrogenic disorders, which can cause issues like hirsutism and acne. Oral contraceptives can address multiple concerns by suppressing gonadotropins, reducing circulating androgens, increasing androgen binding, suppressing adrenal androgen secretion, and inhibiting 5α-reductase and androgen receptor binding. While the response to oral contraceptives can vary in women with anovulatory hyperandrogenic states such as polycystic ovary syndrome, estrogen-dominant oral contraceptives tend to produce desired effects. Clinically, 60–100% of women with hirsutism see improvement with oral contraceptives, and a high percentage of women also see improvements in acne. Additionally, oral contraceptives reduce the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and current low-dose preparations with newer progestins like norgestimate and desogestrel have a neutral or potentially beneficial metabolic impact.
