However , subgroup analyses for the estrogen dose and the progestin type in relation to changes in SHBG levels did show significant differences : COCs containing second generation progestins and /or the lower estrogen doses ( 20–25 µg EE ) were found to have less impact on SHBG concentrations .
The current literature review and meta- analysis demonstrates that COCs decrease circulating levels of total T and free T and increase SBHG concentrations .
Due to the SHBG increase , free T levels decrease twice as much as total T. The estrogen dose and progestin type of the COC do not influence the decline of total and free T , but both affect SHBG .
BACKGROUND Combined oral contraceptives ( COCs ) reduce levels of and rogen , especially testosterone ( T ) , by inhibiting ovarian and adrenal and rogen synthesis and by increasing levels of sex hormone-binding globulin ( SHBG ) .
Although this suppressive effect has been investigated by numerous studies over many years , to our knowledge no systematic review concerning this issue had been performed .
Changes in androgens during treatment with four low-dose contraceptives.
The aim of the present study was to compare changes in the endogenous and rogen environment in healthy women while on low-dose oral contraceptives ( OCs ) . One-hundred healthy women were r and omized to receive one of four OCs during six months : 21 tablets of Cilest , Femodeen , Marvelon , or Mercilon . During the luteal phase of the pretreatment cycle , body weight and blood pressure were recorded and the following parameters were measured : sex hormone-binding globulin ( SHBG ) , corticosteroid-binding globulin ( CBG ) , testosterone ( T ) , free testosterone ( FT ) , 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone ( DHT ) , and rostenedione ( A ) , dehydroepi and rosterone-sulphate ( DHEA-S ) and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone ( 170HP ) while also the free and rogen index ( FAI ) was calculated . Measurements were repeated during the 3rd week of pill intake in the 4th and the 6th pill month . There were no differences on body mass and blood pressure with the use of the four OCs . The mean serum DHEA-S decreased significantly in all groups though less in the Mercilon group when compared to Cilest and Marvelon ( approximately 20 % vs 45 % ) . Mean serum SHBG and CBG increased significantly in all four groups approximately 250 % and 100 % , respectively . In each group CBG also increased significantly but less in women taking Mercilon ( -75 % ) as compared to the others ( -100 % ) . Current low-dose OCs were found to have similar impact on the endogenous and rogen metabolism with significant decreases of serum testosterone , DHT , A , and DHEA-S. They may be equally beneficial in women with and rogen related syndromes such as acne and hirsutism
However , subgroup analyses for the estrogen dose and the progestin type in relation to changes in SHBG levels did show significant differences : COCs containing second generation progestins and /or the lower estrogen doses ( 20–25 µg EE ) were found to have less impact on SHBG concentrations .
The current literature review and meta- analysis demonstrates that COCs decrease circulating levels of total T and free T and increase SBHG concentrations .
Due to the SHBG increase , free T levels decrease twice as much as total T. The estrogen dose and progestin type of the COC do not influence the decline of total and free T , but both affect SHBG .
BACKGROUND Combined oral contraceptives ( COCs ) reduce levels of and rogen , especially testosterone ( T ) , by inhibiting ovarian and adrenal and rogen synthesis and by increasing levels of sex hormone-binding globulin ( SHBG ) .
Although this suppressive effect has been investigated by numerous studies over many years , to our knowledge no systematic review concerning this issue had been performed .