Long-term treatment with the combination ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate in polycystic ovary syndrome.

This study evaluates the effect of therapy over a long period of time (36 cycles without interruption) with the monophasic combination containing 0.035 mg of ethinylestradiol and 2 mg of cyproterone acetate (EE35-CPA) on hormonal and clinical parameters of 66 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). During the administration of the pill a significant decrease in the LH/FSH ratio and in adrenal and ovarian androgens has been observed, as well as a significant increase of the Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG). The progressive decrease of the total androgenic activity explains the clinical results that have been obtained: at the 36th cycle of therapy acne disappeared in 100% of the cases, seborrea in 76.4% and hirsutism in 75%. Our results underline the need for a continuous administration without interruption of the pill with CPA in patients with clinical hyperandrogenic symptoms.