Article: "New versions of progesterone reduce testoster..."

[pindakaas]

Article mentions forms of progesterone cutting levels of
testosterone to combat acne in women. Could this work
similarly against hairloss, (or just turn us into women)???

"The synthetic progesterones used in older forms of the
Pill sometimes promoted acne by stimulating the activity of
androgens, or "male" hormones. Some newer versions
of progesterone, such as desogestrel, are designed to avoid
this--and in fact appear to cut blood levels of
acne-promoting forms of testosterone."


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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...ntraception_dc

Oral Contraceptive Shown to Fight Acne

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A birth control pill containing a
newer form of the hormone progesterone may fight oily skin
and acne in some women, according to researchers.


Some newer, low-dose oral contraceptives are known to help
promote clearer skin. One, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, is approved by
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (news - web sites) for
the treatment of acne in women who are seeking contraception
and have not responded to topical acne medications.


In the new study, Russian researchers found that a Pill
regimen containing desogestrel, a synthetic version of the
female hormone progesterone, reduced oily skin and acne among
60 women ages 18 to 30. After six months on the drug, called
DSG-OC, 98 percent of the women said they were satisfied with
the treatment, according to findings published in the journal
Contraception.


Dr. V. N. Prilepskaya, of the Russian Academy of Medical
Science in Moscow, is lead author on the report. Researchers
from The Netherlands-based drug company N.V. Organon, which
markets DSG-OC under several brand names, including Tri-merci
and Laurina, were involved in the study.


The synthetic progesterones used in older forms of the Pill
sometimes promoted acne by stimulating the activity of
androgens, or "male" hormones. Some newer versions
of progesterone, such as desogestrel, are designed to avoid
this--and in fact appear to cut blood levels of
acne-promoting forms of testosterone.


In the new study, women with mild to moderate acne took
DSG-OC for six cycles. A cycle consisted of one dose per day
for three weeks, followed by one Pill-free week. The
researchers measured the women's facial oiliness, acne and
satisfaction with the treatment after cycles one, three and
six.


By cycle six, they report, three-quarters of the women either
had no acne or only mild breakouts, and most showed only
mildly oily skin. Nearly all said they were satisfied with
the Pill regimen, and many reported greater self-esteem and
confidence, according to the researchers. Side effects
included nausea, headache, breast tenderness and weight gain.



Acne in an adult woman often has to do with hormonal changes
and imbalances occurring, for example, around the time of her
period. So birth control pills may be an option for women who
want to use contraception and aren't helped by topical acne
medications, according to the American Academy of
Dermatology.


Other treatments for acne include a range of over-the-counter
and prescription topical medications, as well as prescription
oral drugs.


SOURCE: Contraception, October 2003.