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Levonorgestrel vs combined oral contraceptive pills in treatment of female acne and hirsutism
Author(s) -
Moubasher Alaa E. A.,
Abdel Basset Hisham A.,
Khalil Asmaa A. M.,
Youssef Eman M. K.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
dermatologic therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1529-8019
pISSN - 1396-0296
DOI - 10.1111/dth.13700
Subject(s) - acne , hirsutism , medicine , levonorgestrel , tolerability , pill , desogestrel , gynecology , dermatology , population , family planning , adverse effect , polycystic ovary , pharmacology , research methodology , insulin resistance , environmental health , insulin
Combined oral contraception was used in many studies for treatment of acne and hirsutism. However, levonorgestrel (LNG) alone has not been evaluated before. Our objective is to evaluate the efficacy of oral contraceptive (OC) pills containing LNG and ethinyl estradiol (EE) compared with LNG only for the treatment of acne and hirsutism in a randomized, controlled prospective clinical trial. Eighty females (20 with acne, 20 with hirsutism, and 40 healthy females) received LNG + EE or LNG only for 6 months. Assessment of acne by global acne grading system (GAGS) and hirsutism by modified Ferriman‐Gallwey scale (MFGS) grading system and serum free testosterone was measured before and 6 months after treatment. Serum free testosterone was significantly higher before treatment in acne and hirsutism patients compared to control group ( P < .000). In acne patients, after 6 months of treatment with LNG/EE, serum free testosterone, and (GAGS), were significantly decreased compared to LNG only ( P < .000). In hirsutism group, after 6 months of treatment with LNG/EE, serum free testosterone and (MFGS), were nonsignificantly decreased compared to LNG only. OCs containing either LNG/EE or LNG seem to be effective and safe treatment for acne and hirsutism.