THE EFFECTS OF VALETTE® ON SKIN AND HAIR: A POST‐MARKETING SURVEILLANCE STUDY

Abstract

SUMMARYThe effects of Valette® ‐ an oral contraceptive containing ethinyloestradiol 0.03 mg and the antiandrogenic progestogen dienogest 2.0 mg ‐ on the skin and hair were surveyed over 63,474 cycles in 10,718 women in routine gynaecological practice. Improvements were greatest in women with severe or moderate androgen‐related symptoms. After six cycles, <1% of women had severely greasy hair and 6% had moderate greasiness, compared with 11 % and 27% at baseline; fewer hair washes were needed per week. The incidence of severe and moderately greasy skin disorders fell from 16% to <1%, and from 39% to 7.5%, respectively. Self‐assessments indicated less greasy hair and improved greasy skin disorders in 70% and 81% of women, respectively. The overall effect of Valette on the skin and hair was rated very good or good by 87.5% of women. These results confirm previous observations of a beneficial effect of Valette on androgen‐related skin and hair conditions. (Int J Clin Pract 2000; 54(2): 85‐91)