Reduced dose of oestrogen in combination with cyproterone acetate in the treatment of hirsutism

Summary

Cyproferone ac in combination with cthinyloestradiol is widely used in Europe and Great Britain as the most successful drug therapy for hirsutism (Hammerstein et al., 1975: Underhill and Dewhurst, 1979). The oestrogen provides cycle control, contraception and elevation of sex hormone binding globulin. Various side effects of this regimen have been reported, many of which are similar to those reported with the use of oral contraceptives. In an attempt to reduce these side effects the dose of ethinyloestradiol was reduced from 50 μg (as suggested in the Hammerstein regimen) to 30 μg.