Lack of androgen effect on human sebaceous glands with low-dosage norethindrone

Abstract

Sebum production was measured weekly in 6 normal adult males during the oral administration of norethindrone, 5.0 mg daily, or norethindrone acetate, 2.5 mg. daily. for 5 to 12 weeks. For a period of several weeks prior to this, sebum secretion was first reduced to low levels by the daily administration of 1 mg. of ethynyl estradiol. The estrogen was then continued simultaneously with the administration of the norethindrone drugs. The purpose of the study was to observe whether the highly androgen-sensitive sebaceous glands could be stimulated to secrete sebum from the administration of these progestins. In none of the 6 subjects was any significant change in sebum production observed indicating that, in the doses used, norethindrone and norethindrone acetate are not androgenic as judged by the response of the human sebaceous gland. It had been previously shown that significant sebaceous gland stimulation resulted from the daily administration of 20 mg. of norethindrone.