Evaluation of Ovarian Reserve and Function in Female Patients Treated with Oral Isotretinoin for Severe Acne: An Exploratory Study

In a 2014 exploratory study of 32 female patients with severe acne, the effects of oral isotretinoin on ovarian reserve and hormone levels were assessed. Patients were treated with 0.5-2 mg/kg/day of isotretinoin for 5 to 8 months, totaling a cumulative dose of 120-135 mg/kg. Measurements of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), antral follicle count (AFC), and ovarian volume (OV) were taken before and after treatment. The study found significant decreases in FSH, LH, and E2 levels after treatment, but no significant changes in AFC and OV, suggesting that while isotretinoin affects hormone levels, it does not significantly impact ovarian function in these patients. Limitations included the use of transabdominal ultrasonography and the inability to assess anti-Mullerian hormone.