Comparison of finasteride versus spironolactone in the treatment of idiopathic hirsutism
December 1997
in “Fertility and Sterility”
TLDR Finasteride reduces hair growth better, but spironolactone has more side effects.
This document summarizes various studies comparing the effectiveness of finasteride and spironolactone in treating idiopathic hirsutism in women. Both drugs were found to be effective in reducing hair growth, but spironolactone had more side effects. Finasteride was more effective in reducing hair growth, but increased serum testosterone levels. Spironolactone reduced testosterone levels but caused menstrual irregularity in some patients. The choice of drug should be based on the location of hair growth and cost-benefit ratio. Further studies are needed to find the best approach to treating idiopathic hirsutism.
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Cited in this study
research Finasteride in the treatment of hirsutism: new therapeutic perspectives
Finasteride effectively treats hirsutism in women, but more research needed for long-term results.
research Clinical and endocrine effects of finasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor, in women with idiopathic hirsutism
Finasteride reduces hairiness and androgen levels in women with unexplained excessive hair growth.
research Comparison of flutamide and spironolactone in the treatment of hirsutism: a randomized controlled trial
Flutamide is more effective and has fewer side effects than spironolactone for treating hirsutism.
research Finasteride
Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and may help with baldness, but effects on sexual function and male fetuses are unclear.
research Comparison of Sequential Cyproterone Acetate/Estrogen Versus Spironolactone/Oral Contraceptive in the Treatment of Hirsutism
Both cyproterone acetate and spironolactone effectively reduce hair growth in women with hirsutism.
research The effects of two doses of spironolactone on serum androgens and anagen hair in hirsute women
Spironolactone reduced hair thickness and some testosterone levels in women with excessive hair growth.
research Treatment of Hirsutism With Spironolactone
Spironolactone is a safe and effective treatment for reducing excessive hair growth in women.
research A Novel Use of Spironolactone: Treatment of Hirsutism
Spironolactone is effective in treating excessive hair growth in women.
Related
research A comparison between spironolactone and spironolactone plus finasteride in the treatment of hirsutism
Spironolactone plus finasteride reduces hirsutism more effectively.
research Use of cyproterone acetate, finasteride, and spironolactone to treat idiopathic hirsutism
All three treatments reduce hirsutism, but spironolactone works best long-term.
research Comparison of spironolactone and spironolactone plus finasteride in the treatment of hirsutism
Spironolactone plus finasteride works better for treating hirsutism.
research Comparison of Spironolactone, Flutamide, and Finasteride Efficacy in the Treatment of Hirsutism: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
research Comparison of Spironolactone, Flutamide, and Finasteride Efficacy in the Treatment of Hirsutism: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial1
Spironolactone most effective for hirsutism, but has side effects.
research Comparison of finasteride and flutamide in the treatment of idiopathic hirsutism
Finasteride and flutamide both reduce hair growth, but finasteride has fewer side effects.
research Comparison of finasteride versus spironolactone in the treatment of idiopathic hirsutism
Finasteride reduces hair growth better, but spironolactone has more side effects.