open access
Anti-androgenic therapy in young patients and its impact on intensity of hirsutism, acne, menstrual pain intensity and sexuality — a preliminary study
, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1
Affiliations- Department of Pregnancy Pathology, Department of Woman’s Health, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
open access
Abstract
Objectives: Using anti-androgenic contraception is one of the methods of birth control. It also has a significant, non-contraceptive impact on women’s body. These drugs can be used in various endocrinological disorders, because of their ability to reduce the level of male hormones. The aim of our study is to establish a correlation between taking different types of anti-androgenic drugs and intensity of hirsutism, acne, menstrual pain intensity and sexuality.
Material and methods: 570 women in childbearing age that had been using oral contraception for at least three months took part in our research. We examined women and asked them about quality of life, health, direct causes and effects of that treatment, intensity of acne and menstrual pain before and after. Our research group has been divided according to the type of gestagen contained in the contraceptive pill: dienogest, cyproterone, chlormadynone and drospirenone. Additionally, the control group consisted of women taking oral contraceptives without antiandrogenic component.
Results: The mean age of the studied group was 23 years ± 3.23. 225 of 570 women complained of hirsutism. The mean score for acne intensity before the use of contraception was 2.7 ± 1.34. The mean score for acne intensity after 3 months of using contraception was 1.85 ± 1.02 (p < 0.001). 192 women reported excess hairiness in one or more area before treatment. Mean value based on Ferriman-Gallway scale before the treatment was 6.23 ± 6.21 and 5.39 ± 5.6 after the treatment (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: All groups of drugs effectively reduced pain and acne severity. Cyproterone and drospirenone turned out as the most effective drugs in treating hirsutism. Surprisingly, according to our research, dienogest does not have any impact on body hairiness.
Abstract
Objectives: Using anti-androgenic contraception is one of the methods of birth control. It also has a significant, non-contraceptive impact on women’s body. These drugs can be used in various endocrinological disorders, because of their ability to reduce the level of male hormones. The aim of our study is to establish a correlation between taking different types of anti-androgenic drugs and intensity of hirsutism, acne, menstrual pain intensity and sexuality.
Material and methods: 570 women in childbearing age that had been using oral contraception for at least three months took part in our research. We examined women and asked them about quality of life, health, direct causes and effects of that treatment, intensity of acne and menstrual pain before and after. Our research group has been divided according to the type of gestagen contained in the contraceptive pill: dienogest, cyproterone, chlormadynone and drospirenone. Additionally, the control group consisted of women taking oral contraceptives without antiandrogenic component.
Results: The mean age of the studied group was 23 years ± 3.23. 225 of 570 women complained of hirsutism. The mean score for acne intensity before the use of contraception was 2.7 ± 1.34. The mean score for acne intensity after 3 months of using contraception was 1.85 ± 1.02 (p < 0.001). 192 women reported excess hairiness in one or more area before treatment. Mean value based on Ferriman-Gallway scale before the treatment was 6.23 ± 6.21 and 5.39 ± 5.6 after the treatment (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: All groups of drugs effectively reduced pain and acne severity. Cyproterone and drospirenone turned out as the most effective drugs in treating hirsutism. Surprisingly, according to our research, dienogest does not have any impact on body hairiness.
Keywords
anti-androgenic therapy; oral contraceptives; acne; hirsutism; menstrual pain; young patients
About this articleTitle
Anti-androgenic therapy in young patients and its impact on intensity of hirsutism, acne, menstrual pain intensity and sexuality — a preliminary study
Journal
Issue
Article type
Research paper
Pages
520-526
Published online
2019-09-30
Page views
2575
Article views/downloads
3560
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Ginekol Pol 2019;90(9):520-526.
Keywords
anti-androgenic therapy
oral contraceptives
acne
hirsutism
menstrual pain
young patients
Authors
Anna Fuchs
Aleksandra Matonóg
Paulina Sieradzka
Joanna Pilarska
Aleksandra Hauzer
Iwona Czech
Agnieszka Drosdzol-Cop
References (28)- Słopień R, Milewska E, Rynio P, et al. Use of oral contraceptives for management of acne vulgaris and hirsutism in women of reproductive and late reproductive age. Prz Menopauzalny. 2018; 17(1): 1–4.
- Randall VA. Androgens and hair growth. Dermatol Ther. 2008; 21(5): 314–328.
- Ceruti JM, Leirós GJ, Balañá ME. Androgens and androgen receptor action in skin and hair follicles. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2018; 465: 122–133.
- Li J, Ren J, Sun W. A comparative systematic review of Yasmin (drospirenone pill) versus standard treatment options for symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2017; 210: 13–21.
- Regidor PA, Schindler AE. Antiandrogenic and antimineralocorticoid health benefits of COC containing newer progestogens: dienogest and drospirenone. Oncotarget. 2017; 8(47): 83334–83342.
- Schramm GAK, Schrah G. The efficacy and safety of an oral contraceptive containing chlormadinone acetate: results of a pooled analysis of noninterventional trials in adult and adolescent women. Contraception. 2011; 84(4): 390–401.
- Jaisamrarn U, Santibenchakul S. A comparison of combined oral contraceptives containing chlormadinone acetate versus drospirenone for the treatment of acne and dysmenorrhea: a randomized trial. Contracept Reprod Med. 2018; 3: 5.
- Bezemer ID, Smits E, Penning-van Beest FJA, et al. Thrombotic risk minimization for Diane-35 and generics. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2017; 26(11): 1411–1417.
- Chandra A, Rho AMi, Jeong K, et al. Clinical experience of long-term use of dienogest after surgery for ovarian endometrioma. Obstet Gynecol Sci. 2018; 61(1): 111–117.
- Andres Md, Lopes LA, Baracat EC, et al. Dienogest in the treatment of endometriosis: systematic review. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2015; 292(3): 523–529.
- Plu-Bureau G, Hugon-Rodin J, Raccah-Tebeka B. Hormonal contraception and vascular risk. Rev Prat. 2018; 68(4): 394–400.
- Kromm J, Jeerakathil T. Cyproterone acetate-ethinyl estradiol use in a 23-year-old woman with stroke. CMAJ. 2014; 186(9): 690–693.
- Lumezi BG, Berisha VL, Pupovci HL, et al. Grading of hirsutism based on the Ferriman-Gallwey scoring system in Kosovar women. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2018; 35(6): 631–635.
- Tay CT, Teede HJ, Hill B, et al. Increased prevalence of eating disorders, low self-esteem, and psychological distress in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a community-based cohort study. Fertil Steril. 2019; 112(2): 353–361.
- Amiri M, Bidhendi Yarandi R, Nahidi F, et al. The relationship between clinical and biochemical characteristics and quality of life in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Clin Endocrinol. 2019; 90(1): 129–137.
- Alexiou E, Hatziagelaki E, Pergialiotis V, et al. Hyperandrogenemia in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: prevalence, characteristics and association with body mass index. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig. 2017; 29(3): 105–111.
- Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored PCOS Consensus Workshop Group, Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored PCOS consensus workshop group. Revised 2003 consensus on diagnostic criteria and long-term health risks related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Hum Reprod. 2004; 19(1): 41–47.
- Rosenfield RL, Mortensen M, Wroblewski K, et al. Determination of the source of androgen excess in functionally atypical polycystic ovary syndrome by a short dexamethasone androgen-suppression test and a low-dose ACTH test. Hum Reprod. 2011; 26(11): 3138–3146.
- Georgopoulos NA, Papadakis E, Armeni AK, et al. Elevated serum androstenedione is associated with a more severe phenotype in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Hormones (Athens). 2014; 13(2): 213–221.
- Lopes IP, Ribeiro VB, Reis RM, et al. Comparison of the Effect of Intermittent and Continuous Aerobic Physical Training on Sexual Function of Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Randomized Controlled Trial. J Sex Med. 2018; 15(11): 1609–1619.
- Schernthaner-Reiter MH, Baumgartner-Parzer S, Egarter HC, et al. Influence of Genotype and Hyperandrogenism on Sexual Function in Women With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. J Sex Med. 2019 [Epub ahead of print].
- Caruso S, Rugolo S, Agnello C, et al. Quality of sexual life in hyperandrogenic women treated with an oral contraceptive containing chlormadinone acetate. J Sex Med. 2009; 6(12): 3376–3384.
- Schernthaner-Reiter MH, Baumgartner-Parzer S, Egarter HC, et al. Influence of Genotype and Hyperandrogenism on Sexual Function in Women With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. J Sex Med. 2019 [Epub ahead of print].
- Barrionuevo P, Nabhan M, Altayar O, et al. Treatment Options for Hirsutism: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018; 103(4): 1258–1264.
- Visnovský J, Biringer K, Svecová I, et al. [Hormonal treatment effectivity in hyperandrogenic syndrome]. Ceska Gynekol. 2010; 75(5): 481–485.
- Ruan X, Kubba A, Aguilar A, et al. Use of cyproterone acetate/ethinylestradiol in polycystic ovary syndrome: rationale and practical aspects. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2017; 22(3): 183–190.
- Wu H, Ruan X, Jin J, et al. Metabolic profile of Diane-35 versus Diane-35 plus metformin in Chinese PCOS women under standardized life-style changes. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2015; 31(7): 548–551.
- De Leo V, Musacchio MC, Cappelli V, et al. Hormonal contraceptives: pharmacology tailored to women's health. Hum Reprod Update. 2016; 22(5): 634–646.
