title: Evaluation of ovarian reserve and function in female patients treated with oral isotretinoin for severe acne: an exploratory study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Isotretinoin affects the levels of female hormones and ovaries in patients with severe acne.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the effects of isotretinoin on the ovarian reserve and levels of female hormones in patients with severe acne.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two female patients with severe acne were enrolled. All the patients were treated with oral isotretinoin 0.5-2 mg/kg/d. The total cumulative dose for a full course was 120-135 mg/kg. The treatment duration ranged from 5 to 8 months. The serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2) levels and antral follicle count (AFC) and ovarian volume (OV) were evaluated before and after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After treatment, the mean FSH, LH, and E2 levels were significantly lower than before treatment. In addition, the mean AFC and OV decreased after treatment, although the difference was not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this exploratory study do not demonstrate that oral isotretinoin has an impact in ovarian function. In contrast, isotretinoin affects levels of female hormones in patients with severe acne.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Elazig Education and Research Hospital , Elazig , Turkey .
authors.forename: Savaş
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Öztürk
authors.forename: Tülin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Öztürk
authors.forename: Haydar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ucak
authors.forename: Ilker
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Erden
authors.forename: Betül
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Demir
authors.forename: Alperen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kayalı
authors.forename: Demet
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cicek
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010050:Ovarian Function Tests; D065851:Ovarian Reserve / Q000187:drug effects; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D015474:Isotretinoin
keywords: AFC; Acne; isotretinoin; ovarian reserve