Efficacy of an oral contraceptive containing drospirenone in the treatment of women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective To investigate the efficacy of a combined oral contraceptive containing 30 µg ethinyloestradiol and 3 mg drospirenone in the treatment of hyperandrogenism affecting women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods Prospective open study of 20 women for six cycles. At the beginning and at the end of the study the following values were determined: the Ferriman–Gallwey (F–G) score, body mass index, waist/hip ratio, serum levels of testosterone, SHBG, immune reactive insulin (IRI), glucose, the free androgenic index, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

Results All 20 women completed six cycles of therapy. The medication was well tolerated. At the end of the study there was a significant improvement of hirsutism, expressed in the decrease of the F–G score, accompanied by a decrease of testosterone and an increase of SHBG values. The carbohydrate metabolism was not affected significantly.

Conclusion The combined oral contraceptive containing 30 µg ethinyloestradiol and 3 mg drospirenone is an effective drug in the treatment of hyperandrogenism in women with PCOS; it elicits few side effects and does not significantly influence insulin resistance.