Evaluation of different antiandrogenic progestins on clinical and biochemical variables in polycystic ovary syndrome

Hormonal Contraception and Bone Metabolism: Emerging Evidence from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Studies on Post-Pubertal and Reproductive-Age Women

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

This study aims to assess the effects of combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) on bone metabolism markers. It primarily measures osteocalcin and additionally examines other bone health markers, seeking to determine their responses to estrogen-progestogen treatments.

METHODS

This study involved a comprehensive evaluation of the pertinent literature and a meta-analysis explicitly conducted on data describing women of reproductive age. The analysis encompassed accessible papers ranging to December 2024 (i.e., those listed in PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, the Cochrane Database, International Clinical Trials Registry, and ClinicalTrials.gov). We examined published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective studies. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane tool for RCTs and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for prospective studies. The selected indicators for primary and secondary outcomes were ascertained by standardized mean change (SMC), displaying the difference between conditions before and after treatment. Trends were evaluated using meta-regressions.

RESULTS

Ultimately, 34 articles out of 1924 identified items met the inclusion criteria, covering 33 unique studies. In EE/E4 combinations, osteocalcin dropped significantly (SMC -0.54 (CI.95 -0.64/-0.43) and -0.43 (CI.95 -0.76/-0.10)). Similar effects were observed for other bone-formation and reabsorption markers, with less significant reductions observed in E2-containing CHC (e.g., alkaline phosphatase (bone) EE combinations, SMC -0.39 (CI.95 -0.67/-0.11); P1NP E2 combination, 0.12 (CI.95 -0.10/0.33); and EE combinations, -0.55 (CI.95 -0.83/-0.26)). The reduction patterns also exhibited differences according to the women's age (e.g., osteocalcin in EE combinations ≤21, SMC -0.63 (CI.95 -0.77/-0.49) and >21, SMC -0.42 (CI.95 -0.61/-0.24); alkaline phosphatase (bone) EE combinations ≤21, SMC -0.55 (CI.95 -0.86/-0.24) and >21, SMC -0.06 (CI.95 -0.47/0.35)). This analysis found that CHC maintains or reduces bone turnover in childbearing women, with effects varying by age and hormone combination. Moreover, bone-formation and reabsorption markers correlated positively to pro-androgenic progestins (p < 0.05). Thus, estrogen-progestogen combinations reduce bone turnover less when weak estrogens and a pro-androgenic or neutral progestin are present.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that CHCs reduce bone turnover, with natural estrogens and androgenic progestins appearing to be more beneficial than EE and anti-androgenic types. These findings would potentially influence decisions relevant to CHC prescriptions during a woman's reproductive phases, emphasizing the need for additional research to tailor CHC usage to bone health.

Correlation of sexual desire with sexual hormone binding globulin and free androgen index in women using combined contraceptives

PURPOSE

To correlate the sexual desire levels with sexual hormone binding globulin and free androgen index in women taking different types of hormonal contraceptives (HCs) containing ethinylestradiol (EE), oestradiol valerate (E2V), 17β-oestradiol (E2), or estetrol (E4), combined or in phasic formulation with different progestogens having antiandrogenic properties.

METHODS

Three hundred and sixty-seven women (age range 18-46) participated in the study. SHBG and total testosterone (TT) were measured, and the Free Androgen Index (FAI) was calculated. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) questionnaires were used to assess sexual function and distress, respectively.

RESULTS

The highest SHBG values and the lowest FAIs were obtained of women on HCs containing EE than those of women on HCs containing E2V/17β E2 or E4 (p < 0.001). Desire scores and FSFI total scores were lower in women on HCs with EE than in those using HCs containing E2V, 17β E2, or E4 (p ≤ 0.001). The women who were on HCs containing EE reported FSDS levels higher than those containing all the other types of oestrogen. Finally, sexual desire and FSFI total scores had a negative correlation with the SHBG values and a positive correlation with FAI percentage (p ≤ 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

A minority of women using HCs with EE might experience a decreased sexual desire. This was not observed in women on HCs containing E2V, 17 E2, or E4. To avoid HC discontinuation, due to sexual desire reduction, HCs having minor antiandrogenic effects could be taken into consideration.

Comparing the risk of deep vein thrombosis of two combined oral contraceptives: Norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol

Background

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has been reported as an adverse event for patients receiving combined oral contraceptives. Norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol (NET/EE) and drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol (DRSP/EE) are two commonly prescribed combined hormonal oral contraceptive agents used in the United States, differing in their progestin component.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the association between the progestin component of a combined oral contraceptive and the risk of DVT in patients taking oral contraceptives for birth control using data derived from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

Methods

The risk of DVT was compared between patients that had taken NET/EE with those that had taken the DRSP/EE COC formulation for birth control. In addition, age was assessed as a possible confounder and the outcome severity for those diagnosed with DVT were compared between the two groups. Finally, association rule mining was utilized to identify possible drug-drug interactions that result in elevated DVT risk.

Results

DVT was the fourth most commonly adverse event reported for patients taking DRSP/EE accounting for 8558 cases and the seventeenth most commonly reported adverse event for NET/EE accounting for 298 cases. Age was found to be a significant confounder for users of DRSP/EE with regards to DVT risk across all age groups assessed: 2040 (ROR = 3.69, 95% CI 3.37-4.04) However, there was only a statistically significant elevated risk in patients over 40 years of age taking NET/EE (ROR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.36-2.88). Patients that had taken DRSP/EE and the corticosteroid prednisone simultaneously had an approximately 3-fold increase in DVT risk (ROR = 2.77, 95% CI 2.43-3.15) relative to individuals that had only taken DRSP/EE.

Conclusion

Based on this analysis, there is a higher risk of developing DVT when taking DRSP/EE than when taking NET/EE as hormonal contraception. In addition, a possibly significant drug-drug interaction between different COC formulations and prednisone were identified. This interaction may result in elevated DVT risk due to a synergistic impairment of fibrinolysis and a decrease in plasmin production.

Clinical management of androgen excess and defect in women

INTRODUCTION

Hyperandrogenism and hypoandrogenism are complex disorders involving multiple-organ systems. While androgen excess is a well-characterized condition, androgen deficiency still needs diagnostic criteria, as there are no specific cutoffs.

AREAS COVERED

We highlight the most recent findings on the role of androgens in female pathophysiology, investigating clinically relevant conditions of androgen insufficiency or excess throughout a woman's life, and their possible therapeutic management.

EXPERT OPINION

Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) should be considered as first-line therapy for the management of menstrual irregularity and/or clinical hyperandrogenism in adolescents with a clear diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). There are limited evidence-based data regarding specific types or doses of COCs for management of PCOS in women; however, the lowest effective estrogen dose should be considered for treatment. Despite evidence regarding safety, efficacy, and clinical use, testosterone therapy has not been approved for women by most regulatory agencies for treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). The long-term safety for treatments with testosterone is still to be evaluated, and this review highlights the need for more research in this area.

Effect of Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Mechanisms, Manifestations, Genetics, and Treatment

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine diseases causing infertility in women of childbearing age. It is characterized by hyperandrogenemia (HA), chronic anovulation, and polycystic ovary morphology (PCOM). Most women with PCOS have metabolic abnormalities. Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), a transport carrier that binds estrogen and androgens and regulates their biological activity, is usually used as an indicator of hyperandrogenism in women with PCOS. Low serum SHBG levels are considered a biomarker of metabolic abnormalities and are associated with insulin resistance (IR), HA, and abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism in PCOS patients. SHBG is also related to the long-term prognosis of PCOS, whereas SHBG gene polymorphism is associated with PCOS risk. In addition, the administration of metformin (MET), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), thiazolidinediones (TZDs), compound oral contraceptives (COCs), as well as nutrient supplements such as inositol (MI), vitamin D, and synbiotics can regulate SHBG levels to ameliorate PCOS complications and improve prognosis. This review focuses on the interaction between SHBG and various PCOS complications as well as the regulation of SHBG by various drugs and nutrients and its therapeutic effects on PCOS.