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

January 1985 in “ Clinical endocrinology ”

P. Dewis, P. Petsos, Maureen Newman, D. C. Anderson

desogestrel ethinyl oestradiol Marvelon hirsutism androgen-dependent hair growth SHBG androstenedione LH free testosterone oral contraceptive Marvelon oral contraceptive

Studysummary 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. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

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.

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Research cited in this study

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26 citations , December 1981 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

This study observed that most hirsute patients on combined cyproterone acetate and 'Diane' therapy experienced a reduction in hair growth, with hair becoming softer, thinner, and lighter in color over 12 months.

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research Use of Cyproterone Acetate in the Treatment of Acne, Hirsutism, and Virilism

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research Chronic Treatment Regimens for Hirsutism in Women: Effect on Blood Production Rates of Testosterone and on Hair Growth

29 citations , May 1975 in “Clinical Endocrinology”

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research The Evaluation of the Role of Androgens in Hirsutism and the Use of a New Anti-Androgen Cyproterone Acetate for Therapy

58 citations , July 1974 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

This study found that cyproterone acetate, given with ethinyl oestradiol, significantly reduced hirsutism in women after 12 months, although improvements reversed once cyproterone acetate was stopped.