Abstract
Objectives
To investigate the effects of a continuous-regimen combined oral contraceptive (COC)
on hyperandrogenic women.
Study design
This prospective study enrolled 52 women with moderate to severe hirsutism, as well
as acne and seborrhea. Women were placed on a 192-day continuous regimen. To assess
hirsutism, the modified Ferriman–Gallwey (mF-G) scoring system was used. Acne and
seborrhea were defined by the Cremoncini scale. Serum FSH, LH, estradiol, total testosterone,
FAI, DHEAS, androstenedione, SHBG and fasting insulin were measured at baseline and
at the endpoint. One-way ANOVA was used to compare serum hormone levels and hirsutism
scores at baseline with those obtained at the endpoint.
Results
A reduction of 78.5% in the mF-G scores was observed at the endpoint (p < 0.001). Women underwent improvement of acne and seborrhea, −58.7% and −56%, respectively
(p < 0.001). An evident decrease in both total testosterone and FAI, and an increase in
SHBG were shown (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
A COC continuous-regimen improved the esthetic effect of hyperandrogenism.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 16, 2013
Accepted:
September 29,
2013
Received in revised form:
September 2,
2013
Received:
May 15,
2013
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
