Effect of a combination of ethinylestradiol and desogestrel in adolescents with oligomenorrhea and ovarian hyperandrogenism.

Abstract

Nine oligomenorrheic adolescent girls with a clinical and hormonal picture of ovarian hyperandrogenism were treated with a monophasic oral contraceptive (OC) containing 0.03 mg ethinylestradiol (EE) plus 0.150 mg desogestrel (DOG) for six months. The same treatment was administered in eight eumenorrheic adolescents. In both groups the treatment induced a decrease in LH, FSH, androstenedione (delta 4-A), testosterone (T) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) levels associated with a significant sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) increase. In oligomenorrheic adolescents a marked decrease in both the total ovarian volume and the number of cystic follicles was observed. All parameters, except SHBG and ovarian volume in hyperandrogenic girls, returned to pre-treatment values 3 months after treatment. Subjective improvement of skin problems occurred in six of the nine oligomenorrheic girls. Although temporary, the EE + DOG formulation pill is effective in the treatment of ovarian hyperandrogenism in adolescents. It may also be useful for the prevention of the progressive transformation in the 'classical' and 'irreversible' micropolycystic ovary of adult age.

• Authors: C Nappi, M J Farace, F Leone, M Minutolo, A P Tommaselli, U Montemagno
• Journal: European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology (Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol) Vol. 25 Issue 3 Pg. 209-19 (Jul 1987) ISSN: 0301-2115 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 2956138 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Androgens
• Contraceptives, Oral, Combined
• Gonadal Steroid Hormones
• Norpregnenes
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• Desogestrel

Topics

• Adolescent
• Androgens (blood)
• Contraceptives, Oral, Combined (therapeutic use)
• Desogestrel
• Ethinyl Estradiol (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Gonadal Steroid Hormones (blood)
• Humans
• Menstrual Cycle (drug effects)
• Menstruation Disturbances (drug therapy)
• Norpregnenes (therapeutic use)
• Oligomenorrhea (blood, drug therapy)
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (drug therapy)