Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40928522›Full record

Observational studyArchives of gynecology and obstetrics2025

Use of progestin-only drospirenone-based pills in hyperandrogenic women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Alice Diterlizzi, Anna Tropea, Eleonora De Luca, Cristina Guerriero, Annamaria Merola, Giovanna Notaristefano, Ambra Moricone, Martina Policriti, Monia Ranalli, Anastasyia Samasiuk and 3 more

Abstract readObservational Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Observational study in Archives of gynecology and obstetrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Alice DiterlizziDepartment of Women's and Children's Health Sciences and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, L.Go Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy. dr.alicediterlizzi@gmail.com.
Anna TropeaDepartment of Women's and Children's Health Sciences and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, L.Go Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.
Eleonora De LucaUOC di Dermatologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli - IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Cristina GuerrieroUOC di Dermatologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli - IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Annamaria MerolaDepartment of Women's and Children's Health Sciences and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, L.Go Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.
Giovanna NotaristefanoUniversità Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy.
Ambra MoriconeUniversità Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy.
Martina PolicritiUniversità Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy.
Monia RanalliDepartment of Statistical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy.
Anastasyia SamasiukUniversità Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy.
Tullio GhiDepartment of Women's and Children's Health Sciences and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, L.Go Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.
Antonio LanzoneDepartment of Women's and Children's Health Sciences and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, L.Go Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.
Rosanna ApaDepartment of Women's and Children's Health Sciences and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, L.Go Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposePolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine-metabolic disorder affecting about 10% of reproductive-age women. Characterized by hyperandrogenism and ovulatory dysfunction, PCOS often involves metabolic features due to insulin resistance. Traditional treatment with combined oral contraceptive pills (COCP) effectively manages hyperandrogenism and menstrual irregularities. However, drospirenone-only pills (DRSP) may offer a viable alternative for patients who cannot take estrogen-based contraceptives due to cardiovascular risks or personal preference, owing to drospirenone's antiandrogenic properties and improved bleeding profile. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of DRSP-only pills on hyperandrogenism in PCOS patients. Secondary objectives included assessing changes in metabolic and hormonal features and bleeding profiles during therapy. MATERIALS AND

methodsThis monocentric observational retrospective study included 25 hyperandrogenic PCOS patients, aged 16 to 35, treated at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome. Patients were prescribed DRSP-only therapy for 6 months. Clinical evaluations included ultrasonography, hormonal assays, and dermatological assessments using the Comprehensive Acne Severity Scale (CASS) and the modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mFG) score. Statistical analysis was performed using the two-tailed Wilcoxon test, with significance set at p < 0.05.

resultsAfter 6 months of DRSP-only therapy, there was a significant reduction in CASS scores (2.4-1.8, p = 0.02) and mFG scores (12.31-6.31, p = 0.0053). In addition, significant reductions in 17-OH-progesterone (0.6-0.3 ng/ml, p = 0.03) and basal LH levels (5.8-3.55 UI/ml, p = 0.01) were observed. A trend toward a reduction in CRP levels (1.6-0.5 mg/l, p = 0.06) was noted. Any worsening in metabolic parameters was noted. Bleeding patterns were consistent with literature, with initial spotting decreasing over time.

conclusionsThis study showed that a 6-month drospirenone (DRSP)-only therapy significantly reduced hyperandrogenism symptoms, such as acne and hirsutism, in PCOS patients. It also lowered 17-OH-progesterone levels and showed a trend of reduced CRP values. Bleeding patterns were consistent with those in existing literature. We recommend DRSP-only therapy as a suitable option for PCOS patients with hyperandrogenism who cannot use combined oral contraceptives (COCs), as well as to minimize the metabolic risks of estrogen.

Indexed as

Androgen AntagonistsAndrostenesHyperandrogenismPolycystic Ovary SyndromeProgestinsAcne VulgarisAdolescentAdultContraceptives, Oral, CombinedFemaleHumansRetrospective StudiesYoung AdultAndrogen AntagonistsAndrostenesContraceptives, Oral, CombineddrospirenoneProgestinsBleedingHyperandrogenismInflammationPCOSProgesteron-only-pill

Identifiers

PMID40928522
PMCPMC12589320

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.