Treatment of hirsutism with ethinyl estradiol-desogestrel contraceptive pills has beneficial effects on the lipid profile and improves insulin sensitivity.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects on the lipid pattern and insulin sensitivity of hirsute women of an oral contraceptive pill containing 30 microg of ethinyl estradiol and 150 microg of desogestrel.


METHODS
Prospective clinical study.


METHODS
Tertiary care institutional hospital.


METHODS
16 hirsute women.


METHODS
Women were evaluated at baseline and after receiving six cycles of oral contraceptive therapy.


METHODS
Body mass index (BMI); hirsutism score (nine body areas); serum levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein(a), and serum adrenal and ovarian androgens; and fasting glucose and insulin concentrations.


RESULTS
The mean serum total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol levels increased after six cycles of oral contraceptive therapy. Levels of HDL cholesterol were < 50 mg/dL in 7 of the 16 patients at baseline; these levels normalized in 4 patients after treatment. Serum total and LDL cholesterol remained within the normal range in all patients before and after therapy. No significant changes were observed in serum triglyceride, apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein(a) concentrations. Fasting insulin levels and insulin resistance as analyzed by homeostasis model assessment were reduced significantly after therapy. No changes in BMI were observed. Administration of oral contraceptive pills signifiCantly reduced the hirsutism score and hyperandrogenemia.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral contraceptive pills containing low-dose ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel are effective in controlling hyperandrogenism and hirsutism and ameliorate the abnormal metabolic profile of women with hirsutism.
Escobar-Morreale
H F
HF
Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain. hector.escobar@uam.es
Lasunción
M A
MA
Sancho
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000502:physiology*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D014280:Triglycerides; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D017135:Desogestrel; D002784:Cholesterol