An open randomized comparative study of an oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol and cyproterone acetate with and without the GnRH analogue goserelin in the long-term treatment of hirsutism

Abstract

A multicenter randomized study was carried out to compare the efficacy of combined therapy with a GnRH analog (goserelin) + an oral contraceptive (OC) containing ethinyl estradiol and cyproterone acetate and same OC alone in the treatment of severe hirsutism. The effect of these two therapies was assessed in a subjective and an objective evaluation of hair growth. According to the subjective evaluation, judged by physician and patient. 95% of patients obtained a partial response. The objective response was assessed by measuring the mean diameter of hair from 3 different areas and 1 control area. The decrease in hair diameter compared to pretreatment was statistically significant for both treatments, mainly for the abdomen and face. The difference between the two groups did not reach statistical significance. Therefore, we assume that OC alone remains the treatment of choice for hirsutism. However, the addition of the GnRH analog to OC needs further investigation and could be justified for patients with no response to standard monotherapy.