Effect of oral contraceptives on markers of hyperandrogenism and SHBG in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

De Leo, Vincenzo; Di Sabatino, Alessandra; Musacchio, Maria C.; Morgante, Giuseppe; Scolaro, Valeria; Cianci, Antonio; Petraglia, Felice

doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2010.04.002

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Volume 82, Issue 3 , Pages 276-280, September 2010

Effect of oral contraceptives on markers of hyperandrogenism and SHBG in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Vincenzo De Leo
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Corresponding author. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Policlinico Le Scotte, 53100 Siena, Italy. Tel.: +39 0577 233465; fax: +39 0577 233464.
Alessandra Di Sabatino
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
Maria C. Musacchio
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
Giuseppe Morgante
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
Valeria Scolaro
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
Antonio Cianci
- Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Felice Petraglia
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy

Received 5 November 2009; received in revised form 29 March 2010; accepted 2 April 2010. published online 20 July 2010.

Abstract

Background

This randomized study's aim was to compare the effect of four oral contraceptives (OCs) containing 30 mcg of ethinylestradiol (EE) and different progestogens [drospirenone, (DRSP), chlormadinone acetate (CMA), desogestrel (DSG), gestodene (GSD)] on biochemical and hormonal parameters of hyperandrogenism and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Study Design

Forty women with PCOS (age 16–35 years) were recruited and randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups of 10 women each, treated, respectively, with 3 mg DRSP/30 mcg EE (Yasmin, Bayer Shering), 2 mg CMA/30 mcg EE (Belara, Grunenthal), 75 mcg GSD/30 mcg EE (Minulet, Wyeth Lederle) and 150 mcg DSG/30 mcg EE (Practil 21, Organon Italia). Blood samples were obtained on day 6-8 of the control cycle and day 6-8 of the third treatment cycle for assay of the following hormones: androsteredione (A), total testosterone (T), free T, SHBG, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS).

Results

In all groups, mean concentrations of free T, total T and A dropped by 40-60%, and concentrations of DHEAS dropped by 20–50%. Formulations with DRSP and CMA caused a greater reduction of androgens and a progressive increase in serum concentrations of SHBG than those with DSG and GSD.