Abstract

PIP: In a study of 36 female patients, 10 of 12 who received up to 10 mg of norethynodrel plus .15 mg of mestranol showed a significant decrease in sebum production. By administration of norethynodrel and mestranol separately, it is shown that the effect is primarily due to the mestranol. Similar suppression of sebum secretion occurred with combinations of norethindrone with mestranol and ethynodiol diacetate with mestranol. The suppression in sebaceous gland activity can be directly correlated with improvement in acne. The initial cycle is usually begun with 5 mg of norethynodrel with .075 mg of mestranol which is almost invariably doubled to 10 mg of norethynodrel with .15 mg of mestranol for subsequent cycles. It usually takes about 2 months for improvement or clearing to show. It is not uncommon to see a mild flare of acne during the first month or 2 of treatment.