Comparison of two contraceptive pills containing drospirenone and 20 μg or 30 μg ethinyl estradiol for polycystic ovary syndrome.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To compare the effects of 30 μg and 20 μg ethinyl estradiol (EE) among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODS:

In a randomized study, patients with PCOS, a history of six or fewer menstrual cycles in the previous 12 months, and abnormal body hair growth were enrolled at a center in Kolkata, India, between May 1, 2012, and January 31, 2014. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) using a computer-generated randomization table to receive an oral contraceptive pill containing 3mg drospirenone and either 30 μg EE or 20 μg EE. Patients were followed up after 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome was the absolute change in the free androgen index. Participants were masked to group assignment but investigators were not. Analyses were by intention to treat.

RESULTS:

Overall, 112 patients were enrolled. At 6 months, the free androgen index had decreased by 4.96±6.01 among patients receiving 30 μg (n=55) and by 4.81±6.03 among those receiving 20 μg (n=57; P=0.89). At 12 months, the decrease from baseline was 5.23±5.79 with 30 μg and 4.99±5.86 with 20 μg (P=0.82).

CONCLUSION:

Among patients with PCOS, an oral contraceptive pill containing 20 μg EE has similar effects on androgen levels to those of a pill containing 30 μg.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:

CTRI/2012/04/002571.

• Authors: Sudhindra M Bhattacharya, Ayan Jha, Lipika DasMukhopadhyay
• Journal: International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Int J Gynaecol Obstet) Vol. 132 Issue 2 Pg. 210-3 (Feb 2016) ISSN: 1879-3479 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26613823 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Androgen Antagonists
• Androgens
• Androstenes
• Contraceptives, Oral, Combined
• Estrogens
• Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• drospirenone

Topics

• Adult
• Androgen Antagonists
• Androgens (blood)
• Androstenes (administration & dosage)
• Contraceptives, Oral, Combined
• Estrogens (administration & dosage)
• Ethinyl Estradiol (administration & dosage)
• Female
• Humans
• India
• Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists (administration & dosage)
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (blood, drug therapy)
• Young Adult