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

The study evaluated the effectiveness of a combination of 30 μg ethinyl oestradiol (EE2) and 150 μg desogestrel (Marvelon) in treating hirsutism in 15 women over one year. Results showed a significant reduction in androgen-dependent hair growth from 0.31 ± 0.01 to 0.23 ± 0.01 mm/day (P< 0.001). Ten patients reported subjective improvement. The treatment led to a marked increase in SHBG concentration and significant decreases in serum androstenedione and LH levels, but not in testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, or 5α-androstane 3α, β17-diol. Free testosterone levels were significantly suppressed, and these biochemical changes were sustained after seven months. The study concluded that this combination is a suitable oral contraceptive for treating hirsute women.