Contraception
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Efficacy of a combined oral contraceptive containing 0.030 mg ethinylestradiol/2 mg dienogest for the treatment of papulopustular acne in comparison with placebo and 0.035 mg ethinylestradiol/2 mg cyproterone acetate.
Acne is a multifactorial disease characterized by androgenic stimulation of sebaceous glands. Therefore, combined oral contraceptives (COCs) containing anti-androgenic progestogens are suitable candidates for acne treatment. This study aimed to show that a COC containing the anti-androgen dienogest (DNG) is superior to placebo and not inferior to a COC containing the potent anti-androgen cyproterone acetate (CPA) in improving mild to moderate acne. ⋯ EE/DNG was superior to placebo, in spite of the prominent placebo effects, and as effective as EE/CPA in the treatment of mild to moderate acne, thus proving a valid option for the treatment of acne in women seeking oral contraception.