Anti-Androgens in Gynecological Practice

September 1988 in “ Baillière's clinical obstetrics and gynaecology ”

Michael J. Reed, Stephen Franks

hirsutism acne androgens skin ovaries adrenal glands plasma transport proteins testosterone androstenedione DHT androgen receptor cyproterone acetate CPA ethinyloestradiol anti-androgen progestational properties DHT CPA

TLDR Cyproterone acetate is effective for treating hirsutism and acne in women by blocking androgens in the skin and also works as a contraceptive.

Hirsutism and acne in women were common issues caused by androgens affecting the skin, influenced by androgen production and bioavailability. Effective anti-androgens blocked androgen receptor-mediated actions of testosterone and DHT. Cyproterone acetate (CPA) was the preferred treatment in the UK, acting as a potent androgen receptor blocker with progestational properties. When combined with ethinyloestradiol, CPA also suppressed ovarian function, reducing androgen production and providing effective contraception.

View this study on sciencedirect.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

16 / 16 results

research Side Effects of Spironolactone Therapy in the Hirsute Woman

80 citations , January 1988 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

Spironolactone can cause side effects like irregular bleeding, but lower doses may reduce these effects and still improve hirsutism.

research A Comparative Study of Aldactone and Diane in the Treatment of Hirsutism

20 citations , August 1987 in “Journal of steroid biochemistry/Journal of Steroid Biochemistry”

Aldactone was more effective in reducing hair growth in women with hirsutism than Diane, despite having less impact on hormone levels.

research Treatment of Hirsutism and Acne with Cyproterone Acetate

43 citations , May 1986 in “Clinics in Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Cyproterone acetate is effective for treating hirsutism and acne but less so for hair loss, with side effects similar to birth control pills.

research Cyproterone Acetate as Initial Treatment and Maintenance Therapy for Hirsutism

18 citations , August 1985 in “European journal of endocrinology”

Cyproterone acetate is effective for treating hirsutism, but some patients may feel worse on low-dose maintenance therapy.

research Spironolactone in Combination Drug Therapy for Unresponsive Hirsutism

44 citations , June 1985 in “Fertility and sterility”

Combination drug therapy is effective for hirsutism that doesn't improve with just one medication.

research The Effects of Two Doses of Spironolactone on Serum Androgens and Anagen Hair in Hirsute Women

142 citations , February 1985 in “Fertility and sterility”

Spironolactone reduced hair thickness and some testosterone levels in women with excessive hair growth.

research Female Hirsutism: Pathophysiological Considerations and Therapeutic Implications

53 citations , October 1984 in “Endocrine reviews”

Excessive hair growth in women often has no known cause and is not linked to race or other hormonal symptoms.

research Dihydrotestosterone Stimulates 5α-Reductase Activity in Pubic Skin Fibroblasts

57 citations , February 1983 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

Dihydrotestosterone increases the activity of an enzyme in pubic skin cells that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.

research 3 Alpha, 17 Beta-Androstanediol Glucuronide in Plasma: A Marker of Androgen Action in Idiopathic Hirsutism

179 citations , May 1982 in “The Journal of clinical investigation/The journal of clinical investigation”

High levels of 3 alpha-diol glucuronide in the blood are a marker of increased androgen action in women with excessive hair growth of unknown cause.

research A Novel Use of Spironolactone: Treatment of Hirsutism

124 citations , September 1980 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

Spironolactone is effective in treating excessive hair growth in women.

research New Therapeutic Approach to the Hirsute Patient

60 citations , September 1979 in “Fertility and sterility”

Spironolactone can reduce hair growth in women with hirsutism.

research Interaction of Spironolactone with Rat Skin Androgen Receptor

23 citations , July 1979 in “Canadian journal of biochemistry”

Spironolactone reduces the number of androgen receptor sites in rat skin by blocking them with its metabolite.

research Use of Cyproterone Acetate in the Treatment of Acne, Hirsutism, and Virilism

232 citations , June 1975 in “Journal of Steroid Biochemistry”

Cyproterone acetate is effective for acne but less so for hirsutism and alopecia, with some side effects and quick menstrual cycle recovery after treatment.

research The Evaluation of the Role of Androgens in Hirsutism and the Use of a New Anti-Androgen Cyproterone Acetate for Therapy

58 citations , July 1974 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

Cyproterone acetate combined with ethinyl estradiol significantly reduced hirsutism in women.

research Biological Activity of Antiandrogens

51 citations , June 1970 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

Antiandrogens may help treat conditions like excessive hair growth, prostate tumors, male baldness, and acne by blocking male hormone effects.

research The Effect of Anti-Androgens on the Response of Rat Preputial Glands to Testosterone

16 citations , September 1964 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

New compounds can block testosterone effects in rats and might help treat conditions like prostate cancer and acne.