Human Reproduction, Vol. 13, No. 10, 2706-2711,
October 1998
© 1998 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Effects of two antiandrogen treatments on hirsutism and insulin sensitivity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg University, Sweden 2 Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg University, Sweden 3 Division of Rehabilitation Medicine and Department of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg University, Sweden 4 Division of Heart and Lung Diseases, Department of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg University, Sweden
Correspondence: To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg University, S-41345 Göteborg, Sweden
Thirty-two women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were allocated to two antiandrogen treatment regimens; 28 women completed the trial. Twenty women were treated with ethinyloestradiol and cyproterone acetate (EO-CA) cyclically for 6 months and eight women were treated with the gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue, goserelin for 6 months. Effects on hirsutism, insulin sensitivity (estimated by glucose clamp technique), blood lipids and hormones were measured. Women treated with EO-CA showed a reduction in hirsutism (P <0.05), and decreased serum androgen concentrations (P <0.001) as well as reduced insulin sensitivity (P <0.05). In women treated with goserelin, serum androgen concentrations also decreased (P <0.001), but there was no significant reduction of hirsutism. This group, however, showed an improved insulin sensitivity (P <0.05) despite an unchanged body mass index. Bone mineral density was unaltered in both treatment groups. The reduction in androgen concentrations caused by EO-CA was not paralleled by increased insulin sensitivity, most probably due to the effect of ethinyloestradiol per se. In contrast, the reduction in androgen concentrations by goserelin was accompanied by an improved insulin sensitivity.
Key words: antiandrogen/bone mineral density/hirsutism/insulin resistance/polycystic ovary syndrome
![]()
CiteULike
Connotea
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
R. Homburg Androgen circle of polycystic ovary syndrome Hum. Reprod., July 1, 2009; 24(7): 1548 - 1555. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Palomba, A. Falbo, F. Zullo, and F. Orio Jr. Evidence-Based and Potential Benefits of Metformin in the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review Endocr. Rev., February 1, 2009; 30(1): 1 - 50. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A Corbould Chronic testosterone treatment induces selective insulin resistance in subcutaneous adipocytes of women J. Endocrinol., March 1, 2007; 192(3): 585 - 594. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Nader and E. Diamanti-Kandarakis Polycystic ovary syndrome, oral contraceptives and metabolic issues: new perspectives and a unifying hypothesis Hum. Reprod., February 1, 2007; 22(2): 317 - 322. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Vrbikova and D. Cibula Combined oral contraceptives in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome Hum. Reprod. Update, May 1, 2005; 11(3): 277 - 291. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. Morin-Papunen, K. Rautio, A. Ruokonen, P. Hedberg, M. Puukka, and J. S. Tapanainen Metformin Reduces Serum C-Reactive Protein Levels in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 2003; 88(10): 4649 - 4654. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Cagnacci, A. M. Paoletti, A. Renzi, M. Orru, M. Pilloni, G. B. Melis, and A. Volpe Glucose Metabolism and Insulin Resistance in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome during Therapy with Oral Contraceptives Containing Cyproterone Acetate or Desogestrel J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., August 1, 2003; 88(8): 3621 - 3625. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. Diamanti-Kandarakis, J.-P. Baillargeon, M. J. Iuorno, D. J. Jakubowicz, and J. E. Nestler A Modern Medical Quandary: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Insulin Resistance, and Oral Contraceptive Pills J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2003; 88(5): 1927 - 1932. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. C. W. Wu and A. von Eckardstein Androgens and Coronary Artery Disease Endocr. Rev., April 1, 2003; 24(2): 183 - 217. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. Morin-Papunen, I. Vauhkonen, R. Koivunen, A. Ruokonen, H. Martikainen, and J. S. Tapanainen Metformin Versus Ethinyl Estradiol-Cyproterone Acetate in the Treatment of Nonobese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Study J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2003; 88(1): 148 - 156. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. E. Nestler Should patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome be treated with metformin?: An enthusiastic endorsement Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2002; 17(8): 1950 - 1953. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. Elter, G. Imir, and F. Durmusoglu Clinical, endocrine and metabolic effects of metformin added to ethinyl estradiol-cyproterone acetate in non-obese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a randomized controlled study Hum. Reprod., July 1, 2002; 17(7): 1729 - 1737. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. Cibula, M. Hill, M. Fanta, G. Sindelka, and J. Zivny Does obesity diminish the positive effect of oral contraceptive treatment on hyperandrogenism in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome? Hum. Reprod., May 1, 2001; 16(5): 940 - 944. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. Falsetti, A. Gambera, and G. Tisi Efficacy of the combination ethinyl oestradiol and cyproterone acetate on endocrine, clinical and ultrasonographic profile in polycystic ovarian syndrome Hum. Reprod., January 1, 2001; 16(1): 36 - 42. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. C. Morin-Papunen, I. Vauhkonen, R. M. Koivunen, A. Ruokonen, H. K. Martikainen, and J. S. Tapanainen Endocrine and Metabolic Effects of Metformin Versus Ethinyl Estradiol-Cyproterone Acetate in Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Study J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 2000; 85(9): 3161 - 3168. [Abstract] [Full Text] |
||||
![]() |
R.D. Murray, R.M. Davison, R.C. Russell, and G.S. Conway Clinical presentation of PCOS following development of an insulinoma: Case Report Hum. Reprod., January 1, 2000; 15(1): 86 - 88. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. J.Marsden, A. P. Murdoch, and R. Taylor Adipocyte insulin action following ovulation in polycystic ovarian syndrome Hum. Reprod., September 1, 1999; 14(9): 2216 - 2222. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Cagnacci, A.M. Paoletti, S. Arangino, G.B. Melis, and A. Volpe Effect of ovarian suppression on glucose metabolism of young lean women with and without ovarian hyperandrogenism Hum. Reprod., April 1, 1999; 14(4): 893 - 897. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||




