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. 2011

Gokalp Oner, and Iptisam Ipek Muderris
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey. onerg@yahoo.com

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

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011446 Prospective Studies Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group. Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D003277 Contraceptives, Oral, Combined Fixed drug combinations administered orally for contraceptive purposes. Combined Oral Contraceptive,Contraceptive Agents, Female, Combined,Oral Contraceptives, Combined,Combined Oral Contraceptives,Contraceptive, Combined Oral,Contraceptives, Combined Oral,Oral Contraceptive, Combined
D004997 Ethinyl Estradiol A semisynthetic alkylated ESTRADIOL with a 17-alpha-ethinyl substitution. It has high estrogenic potency when administered orally, and is often used as the estrogenic component in ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES. 19-Norpregna-1,3,5(10)-trien-20-yne-3,17-diol, (17alpha)-,Ethynyl Estradiol,Estinyl,Ethinyl Estradiol Hemihydrate,Ethinyl Estradiol, (8 alpha)-Isomer,Ethinyl Estradiol, (8 alpha,17 alpha)-Isomer,Ethinyl Estradiol, (8 alpha,9 beta,13 alpha,14 beta)-Isomer,Ethinyl Estradiol, (9 beta,17 alpha)-Isomer,Ethinyl-Oestradiol Effik,Ethinylestradiol Jenapharm,Ethinyloestradiol,Lynoral,Microfollin,Microfollin Forte,Progynon C,Estradiol, Ethinyl,Estradiol, Ethynyl,Ethinyl Oestradiol Effik,Hemihydrate, Ethinyl Estradiol,Jenapharm, Ethinylestradiol
D005260 Female Females
D006628 Hirsutism A condition observed in WOMEN and CHILDREN when there is excess coarse body hair of an adult male distribution pattern, such as facial and chest areas. It is the result of elevated ANDROGENS from the OVARIES, the ADRENAL GLANDS, or exogenous sources. The concept does not include HYPERTRICHOSIS, which is an androgen-independent excessive hair growth.
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000451 Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists Drugs that bind to and block the activation of MINERALOCORTICOID RECEPTORS by MINERALOCORTICOIDS such as ALDOSTERONE. Aldosterone Antagonist,Aldosterone Antagonists,Aldosterone Receptor Antagonist,Mineralocorticoid Antagonist,Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist,Aldosterone Receptor Antagonists,Mineralocorticoid Antagonists,Antagonist, Aldosterone,Antagonist, Aldosterone Receptor,Antagonist, Mineralocorticoid,Antagonist, Mineralocorticoid Receptor,Antagonists, Aldosterone,Antagonists, Aldosterone Receptor,Antagonists, Mineralocorticoid,Antagonists, Mineralocorticoid Receptor,Receptor Antagonist, Aldosterone,Receptor Antagonist, Mineralocorticoid,Receptor Antagonists, Aldosterone,Receptor Antagonists, Mineralocorticoid
D000736 Androstenes Unsaturated derivatives of the steroid androstane containing at least one double bond at any site in any of the rings.
D012720 Severity of Illness Index Levels within a diagnostic group which are established by various measurement criteria applied to the seriousness of a patient's disorder. Illness Index Severities,Illness Index Severity

Related Publications

Gokalp Oner, and Iptisam Ipek Muderris
May 2004, American family physician,
Gokalp Oner, and Iptisam Ipek Muderris
October 2011, Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy,
Gokalp Oner, and Iptisam Ipek Muderris
January 1997, Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica. Supplement,
Gokalp Oner, and Iptisam Ipek Muderris
May 2011, International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics,
Copied contents to your clipboard!