A prospective randomized trial comparing low-dose ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone 24/4 combined oral contraceptive vs. ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone 21/7 combined oral contraceptive in the treatment of hirsutism.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

A prospective randomized trial was conducted to compare the clinical efficacy of two oral contraceptives containing drospirenone in the treatment of hirsutism in women.

STUDY DESIGN:

Fifty women with moderate to severe hirsutism were recruited. Three women were lost to follow-up. Twenty-four patients received oral 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol and 3 mg drospirenone 21/7 regimen (Group 1) for 6 months. Another group of 23 patients received oral 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol and 3 mg drospirenone 24/4 regimen (Group 2) for 6 months. Hirsutism was assessed after 6 months using the Ferriman-Gallwey (F-G) scoring system. Hormonal levels after 6 months of both therapies were compared with baseline values and each other.

RESULTS:

An improvement in the F-G scores for hirsutism (mean±SD) was observed in Group 1 (17.3±5.2 to 8.7±2.5, p<.001) and in Group 2 (17.5±4.8 to 7.9±2.8, p<.001). Pre- and post-treatment hirsutism scores were comparable between the groups (p>.05). Total and free testosterone levels decreased significantly after the therapy in both groups. The sex hormone-binding globulin levels increased significantly in both groups during the 6-month period.

CONCLUSION:

The treatment of hirsutism with both combined oral contraceptives (COCs) containing drospirenone offered comparable effects and was well tolerated.

• Authors: Gokalp Oner, Iptisam Ipek Muderris
• Journal: Contraception (Contraception) Vol. 84 Issue 5 Pg. 508-11 (Nov 2011) ISSN: 1879-0518 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22018126 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Androstenes
• Contraceptives, Oral, Combined
• Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists
• Progesterone Congeners
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• drospirenone

Topics

• Adult
• Androstenes (administration & dosage)
• Contraceptives, Oral, Combined (administration & dosage)
• Ethinyl Estradiol (administration & dosage)
• Female
• Hirsutism (blood, drug therapy, pathology)
• Humans
• Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists (administration & dosage)
• Progesterone Congeners (administration & dosage)
• Prospective Studies
• Severity of Illness Index
• Treatment Outcome