title: Desogestrel+ethinylestradiol versus levonorgestrel+ethinylestradiol. Which one has better affect on acne, hirsutism, and weight change.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare complications of third and second generation oral contraceptive pills (OCPs).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomized clinical trial from October 2007 to October 2008, 100 healthy women of reproductive age referred to Amir Hospital Family Planning Clinic and some heath centers in Semnan, Iran were randomized in 2 equal groups. They received either a third generation OCP (150 microgram desogestrel [DSG] + 30 microgram ethinylestradiol [EE]) or a second generation type (150 microgram levonorgestrel [LNG] + 30 microgram EE). Six months later, changes of weight, acne, and hirsutism severity, as well as serum titers of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and free testosterone were compared between the 2 groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-five women were evaluated in the DSG+EE OCP group, and 46 women in the LNG+EE OCP group. The BMI was significantly higher in the second group (p=0.000) after 6 months duration. Likewise, the decrement of acne and hirsutism severity was significantly higher in the DSG+EE users (p=0.000). Mean changes of serum free testosterone (p=0.967) and SHBG (p=0.916) were comparable between the 2 groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In comparison with the LNG+EE OCP, the DSG+EE OCP is a contraceptive pill that significantly decreases the severity of acne and hirsutism, without any significant change in weight.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Amir, PO Box 351655974, Semnan, Iran. sm42595@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Moradan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sanam
authors.forename: Omidvar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ziba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D017135:Desogestrel