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Updated: Aug 1, 2025

Evaluation of Hepatic Glucose Production in a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Mouse Model
Published on: March 5, 2022
Oral and Vaginal Hormonal Contraceptives Induce Similar Unfavorable Metabolic Effects in Women with PCOS: A
Maria-Elina Mosorin1,2,3, Terhi Piltonen1,2,3, Anni S Rantala1,2,3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oulu University Hospital, Wellbeing Services County of North Ostrobothnia, 90220 Oulu, Finland.
Abstract:
This clinical trial aims to compare hormonal and metabolic changes after a 9-week continuous use of oral or vaginal combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We recruited 24 women with PCOS and randomized them to use either combined oral (COC, n = 13) or vaginal (CVC, n = 11) contraception. At baseline and 9 weeks, blood samples were collected and a 2 h glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed to evaluate hormonal and metabolic outcomes. After treatment, serum sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels increased (p < 0.001 for both groups) and the free androgen index (FAI) decreased in both study groups (COC p < 0.001; CVC p = 0.007). OGTT glucose levels at 60 min (p = 0.011) and AUCglucose (p = 0.018) increased in the CVC group. Fasting insulin levels (p = 0.037) increased in the COC group, and insulin levels at 120 min increased in both groups (COC p = 0.004; CVC p = 0.042). There was a significant increase in triglyceride (p < 0.001) and hs-CRP (p = 0.032) levels in the CVC group. Both oral and vaginal CHCs decreased androgenicity and tended to promote insulin resistance in PCOS women. Larger and longer studies are needed to compare the metabolic effects of different administration routes of CHCs on women with PCOS.
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