title: Effects of an oral contraceptive containing estradiol valerate and dienogest on circulating androgen levels and acne in young patients with PCOS: an observational preliminary study.
abstract: This study shows the effect of a 1 year treatment with an estradiol valerate/dienogest pill in 36 women suffering from polycystic ovaries and mild or moderate acne. At beginning of the study, 24 patients (66.7%) had grade 1-2 (mild) acne and 12 patients (33.3%) had grade 3 (moderate) acne. After 12 cycles of therapy, we found an improvement of acne in 19 (52.8%) patients and a worsening of acne in 3 (8.4%) patients. The percentage of patients recovered was statistically significant (p < 0.01). SHBG levels were significantly higher after 6 and 12 months of therapy (p < 0.001), while total testosterone levels were lower in all patients at 6 and 12 months although this trend did not reach statistical significance. In conclusion, the present study suggests that the E2V/DNG pill could exert a positive influence on acne and hyperandrogenism. Since this is an observational study on a very limited population number, additional randomized controlled studies on larger populations are needed also to determine the effects of this contraceptive over longer periods of use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive Sciences, University of Naples Federico II , Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Costantino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Carlo
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gargano
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sparice
authors.forename: Giovanni A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Tommaselli
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bifulco
authors.forename: Carmine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nappi
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009277:Nandrolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; C023635:dienogest; D004958:Estradiol; D009277:Nandrolone