This paper is only available as a PDF. To read, Please Download here.
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to compare changes in the endogenous androgen environment
in healthy women while on low-dose oral contraceptives (OCs). One-hundred healthy
women were randomized to receive one of four OCs during six months: 21 tablets of
Cilest®, Femodeen®, Marvelon®, or Mercilon®. During the luteal phase of the pretreatment cycle, body weight and blood pressure
were recorded and the following parameters were measured: sex hormone-binding globulin
(SHBG), corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), testosterone (T), free testosterone
(FT), 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), androstenedione (A), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate
(DHEA-S) and 17α-hydroxy-progesterone (17OHP) while also the free androgen index (FAI)
was calculated. Measurements were repeated during the 3rd week of pill intake in the
4th and the 6th pill month. There were no differences on body mass and blood pressure
with the use of the four OCs. The mean serum DHEA-S decreased significantly in all
groups though less in the Mercilon® group when compared to Cilest® and Marvelon® (approximately 20% vs 45%). Mean serum SHBG and CBG increased significantly in all
four groups approximately 250% and 100%, respectively. In each group CBG also increased
significantly but less in women taking Mercilon® (−75%) as compared to the others (−100%). Current low-dose OCs were found to have
similar impact on the endogenous androgen metabolism with significant decreases of
serum testosterone, DHT, A, and DHEA-S. They may be equally beneficial in women with
androgen related syndromes such as acne and hirsutism.
Keywords
To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
Purchase one-time access:
Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online accessOne-time access price info
- For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
- For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'
Subscribe:
Subscribe to ContraceptionAlready a print subscriber? Claim online access
Already an online subscriber? Sign in
Register: Create an account
Institutional Access: Sign in to ScienceDirect
References
- Thromboembolic disease and the steroidal content of oral contraceptives. A report to the Committee on Safety and Drugs.Br Med J. 1970; 2: 203-209
- Progestens and cardiovascular reactions associated with oral contraceptives and a comparison of the safety of 50- and 30-μg oestrogen preparations.Br Med J. 1980; 280: 1157-1161
- An epidemiologic survey of cardiovascular disease in women taken oral contraceptives.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1990; 163: 274-281
- Oral contraception and risk of cerebral thromboembolic attack: Results of case-control study.Br Med J. 1993; 306: 956-963
- Low-dose oral contraceptives: Progestins potency, androgenicity and atherogenic potential.Clin Therapeutics. 1986; 8: 607-618
- Preclinical evaluation of norgestimate, a progestin with minimal androgenic activity.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1992; 167: 1191-1196
- Een epidemiologisch onderzoek naar risico-indicatoren voor hart-en vaatziekten (EPOZ). Bloeddruk, serum-cholesterolgehalte, Quetelet-index en rookgewoonten in een open bevolking van vijf jaar en ouder.Ned T Geneesk. 1980; 124: 183-189
- Measurement of serum testosterone: Results of the “Farmos” SHBG IRMA kit and the “Coat-A-Count” free testosterone kit compared with salivary testosterone.Clin Chem. 1986; 32: 702
- EEC Note for Guidance: Good Clinical Practice for trials on medicinal products in the European community, CPMP Working Party on Efficacy of Medical Product.Pharmacol Toxicol. 1990; 67: 361-372
- A liquid phase immuno radiometric assay (IRMA) for human sex hormone-binding globulin.J Steroid Biochem. 1985; 86: 405-414
- Effect of aromatase inhibition by δ-1-testolactone on basal and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-stimulated pituitary and gonadal hormonal function in oligospermic men.Fertil Steril. 1985; 43: 787-792
- The infertile couple: some cycle and sperm characteristics.in: 6th Ed. Academic Thesis. Catholic University of Nijmegen, 1988
- The influence of 17α-hydroxyprogester-one carproate on early pregnancy.in: 6th Ed. Academic Thesis. Catholic University of Nijmegen, 1988
- Stepwise multiple comparison procedures.J Am Stat Assoc. 1977; 72: 566-575
- Multiple testing in clinical trials.Stat Med. 1991; 10: 871-890
- The metabolic impact of oral contraceptives.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1992; 167: 1177-1184
- Selectivity of progesterone and androgen receptor binding of progestogens used in oral contraceptives.Contraception. 1988; 38: 325-332
- New progestogens in oral contraceptives.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1987; 157: 1059-1063
- A norgestimate-containing oral contraceptive: review of clinical studies.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1992; 167: 1196-1202
- The metabolic impact of oral contraceptives.Am J Obstet Gynec. 1992; 167: 1177-1184
- Sex hormone receptor binding, progestin selectivity, and the new oral contraceptives.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1994; 170: 1508-1513
- Effect of low dose oral contraceptive on gonadotropins, androgens, and sex hormone-binding globulin in nonhirsute women.Fertil Steril. 1990; 53: 35-39
- Rise in female-initiated sexual activity at ovulation and its suppression by oral contraceptives.New Engl J Med. 1978; 229: 1145-1150
Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
December 18,
1995
Received in revised form:
December 12,
1995
Received:
August 22,
1995
Identification
Copyright
© 1996 Published by Elsevier Inc.
