Human Reproduction, Vol. 16, No. 1, 36-42,
January 2001
© 2001 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Efficacy of the combination ethinyl oestradiol and cyproterone acetate on endocrine, clinical and ultrasonographic profile in polycystic ovarian syndrome
Department of Gynaecological Endocrinology, University of Brescia, Brescia 25128, Italy
This study shows the effect of a long-term treatment (60 cycles) with the ethinyl oestradiol/cyproterone acetate pill, and the follow-up after 6 months from cessation, in polycystic ovarian syndrome. The 140 studied women had polycystic ovaries and moderate or severe acne, 108 also presented hirsutism. The endocrine profile significantly modified after six cycles (P < 0.001), with a further significant decrease of gonadotrophins, oestrogens and androgens after 12 cycles, and a greater increase of sex hormone-binding globulins and insulin-like growth factor-binding globulins. Between the 12th and 60th cycle there was only a significant reduction of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (P < 0.05). Acne disappeared in all patients within 12–24 cycles, but hirsutism was still present in 30.6% after 60 cycles. Mild-moderate hirsutism disappeared in 36–60 cycles, whereas severe hirsutism substantially decreased, but persisted. Ovarian volume, microcyst numbers and stroma percentage significantly decreased (P < 0.01). After 6 months from the end of the therapy, endocrine parameters were identical to the starting ones, acne and hirsutism reappeared, whereas ovarian morphology was between the initial and final condition. Ovaries were polycystic in 42 (30%) patients and multifolliculars in 98 (70%). Our results show the effectiveness of this combination on androgenic symptoms, especially on acne, and suggest that acne and hirsutism are induced by different peripheral mechanisms.
Key words: acne/cyproterone acetate/ethinyl oestradiol/hirsutism/ultrasonography
1 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Via XXV Aprile 10, 24058 Romano di L. (BG), Italy.
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