Treatment of hirsutism with combined pill containing drospirenone

Gynecol Endocrinol. 2008 Apr;24(4):220-3. doi: 10.1080/09513590801948309.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the biochemical and clinical effects of the combined pill consisting of ethinyl estradiol (EE) and drospirenone (DRSP) in hirsute patients. Fifty-two adolescents or young women from Greece were treated with 30 mug EE and 3 mg DRSP for 1 year. Hirsutism was evaluated by the Ferriman-Gallway (FG) score in the initial visit and at 3, 6 and 12 months. Follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, etradiol, free and total testosterone (T), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were determined at the same intervals. Hirsutism improved and FG scores reduced to 77.4%, 67.2% and 51.8% at 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. Plasma SHBG levels rose, while free and total T levels reduced from the third month onwards. In conclusion, the EE/DRSP pill improves hirsutism in women via antiandrogenic and antimineralocorticoid action. The biochemical manifestations of hyperandrogenism are also improved.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Androstenes / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Combinations
  • Ethinyl Estradiol / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Greece
  • Hirsutism / blood
  • Hirsutism / complications
  • Hirsutism / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Luteinizing Hormone / blood
  • Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists / administration & dosage
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / blood
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / complications
  • Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / analysis
  • Testosterone / blood

Substances

  • Androstenes
  • Drug Combinations
  • Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists
  • Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
  • Testosterone
  • Ethinyl Estradiol
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone
  • drospirenone