Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder affecting reproductive and metabolic health. Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) are commonly used to regulate menstrual cycles, reduce hyperandrogenism, and improve metabolic outcomes. However, long-term data on their efficacy, particularly concerning metabolic changes, remain limited.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of OCP therapy on menstrual cycle regularity, androgen levels, and metabolic parameters over a 12-month period in women with PCOS.
Methods: This 12-month longitudinal observational study included women diagnosed with PCOS based on the Rotterdam criteria. Participants received OCP therapy and were assessed at baseline, six months, and twelve months. The primary outcome was menstrual cycle regularity. Secondary outcomes included changes in androgen levels (testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate [DHEAS]), clinical hyperandrogenism (hirsutism, acne), and metabolic parameters (fasting glucose, insulin resistance [HOMA-IR], and lipid profile). Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) to assess changes over time.
Results: OCP therapy significantly improved menstrual cycle regularity by 70% (p < 0.001), with stabilization at twelve months. Androgen levels, including serum testosterone, demonstrated a reduction of 23.8 ng/dL (p < 0.0001), while DHEAS levels declined by 54.76 µg/dL (p < 0.0001), correlating with improvements in hirsutism and acne severity. Metabolic benefits were observed, including a 0.86-unit reduction in insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p < 0.0002), improved fasting glucose levels (decreased by 7.33 mg/dL, p < 0.0001), and favorable lipid profile changes (LDL reduction of 16.54 mg/dL, p < 0.0001; HDL increase of 5.60 mg/dL, p = 0.0005).
Conclusion: OCP therapy significantly improves menstrual cycle regularity, reduces androgen excess, and enhances metabolic parameters in women with PCOS over 12 months. These findings support the role of OCPs as a primary treatment option for PCOS management. However, further long-term studies are warranted to evaluate metabolic safety, cardiovascular risks, and comparative efficacy against alternative therapies such as metformin.
Keywords: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Oral Contraceptive Pills, Menstrual Cycle Regulation, Androgen Suppression, Insulin Resistance, Hyperandrogenism.
How to cite this article: Sharma N, Aysha M. Efficacy of oral contraceptive pills in polycystic ovary syndrome: a 12-month retrospective longitudinal observational study using electronic health records. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(6s): 154-160; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.6s.19
Source of support: None.
Conflict of interest: None