Finasteride Cream in Hirsutism

January 2001 in “ Endocrine Practice ”

K. Jean Lucas

finasteride hirsutism hair growth hormone levels Propecia

Studysummary In this preliminary study, women with facial hirsutism treated with topically applied finasteride cream showed a significant decrease in hair growth and thickness compared to placebo, without adverse effects. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study examined the effectiveness of finasteride cream in treating hirsutism in women. The cream was found to reduce hair growth in women with hirsutism and had few side effects. Finasteride cream could be a promising treatment option for hirsutism. The study suggests that finasteride cream may be a useful therapy for mild facial hirsutism in women with various causes and hormone levels. However, more research is needed to fully understand its long-term effects and optimal use.

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Research cited in this study

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research Comparison of Finasteride Versus Flutamide in the Treatment of Hirsutism

75 citations , October 1999 in “European journal of endocrinology”

This study found that both finasteride and flutamide effectively reduce hirsutism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome or idiopathic hirsutism, but flutamide was more effective.

research Comparison of Finasteride and Flutamide in the Treatment of Idiopathic Hirsutism

32 citations , July 1999 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that both finasteride and flutamide effectively reduced hirsutism, with flutamide being more effective than finasteride in decreasing hirsutism scores and hair diameter over 12 months.

research Effect of Finasteride in Idiopathic Hirsutism

27 citations , November 1998 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation”

This study reported that 6 months of finasteride treatment significantly improved idiopathic hirsutism in women, with benefits persisting 6 months post-treatment and no adverse reactions observed.

research Comparison of Finasteride Versus Spironolactone in the Treatment of Idiopathic Hirsutism

76 citations , December 1997 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that spironolactone was significantly more effective than finasteride in reducing hirsutism scores over 9 months, despite more side effects occurring in the spironolactone group.

Outcome of Long-Term Treatment with the 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride in Idiopathic Hirsutism: Clinical and Hormonal Effects During a 1-Year Course of Therapy and 1-Year Follow-Up

research Outcome of Long-Term Treatment with the 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride in Idiopathic Hirsutism: Clinical and Hormonal Effects During a 1-Year Course of Therapy and 1-Year Follow-Up

75 citations , November 1996 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that finasteride effectively reduced hirsutism in women during 12 months of treatment, with some effects persisting in the majority after stopping the medication.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Hirsutism: New Therapeutic Perspectives

50 citations , July 1996 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that finasteride significantly reduced hirsutism scores in women with idiopathic hirsutism and PCOS, despite no changes in serum androgen levels.

research A Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Finasteride to Spironolactone in the Treatment of Hirsute Women

52 citations , January 1995 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study observed that finasteride and spironolactone both led to a similar significant, but limited, improvement in hirsutism despite their differing effects on androgen levels.

research Clinical and Hormonal Effects of the 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride in Idiopathic Hirsutism

33 citations , October 1994 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study found that finasteride treatment significantly reduced hirsutism scores in women with idiopathic hirsutism over 6 months and was well tolerated.

research Effects of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Circulating Androgens and Gonadotropin Secretion in Hirsute Women

22 citations , September 1994 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study found that three months of oral finasteride treatment significantly decreased dihydrotestosterone levels and hair growth in hirsute women without negatively affecting gonadotropin secretion.

research Azasteroids as Inhibitors of Testosterone 5α-Reductase in Mammalian Skin

34 citations , February 1993 in “Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology/The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology”

This study found that 4-MA is a potent inhibitor of testosterone 5α-reductase in human tissues, promising potential for treating androgen-dependent skin conditions like male pattern baldness.

research The Effect of Finasteride in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

1040 citations , October 1992 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

In this study, 5 mg of finasteride per day significantly improved urinary symptoms and reduced prostate volume in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, but increased the risk of sexual dysfunction.

research Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Serum Gonadotropins in Normal Men

30 citations , August 1992 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study found that lowering serum DHT levels with 5 mg finasteride daily did not significantly alter serum gonadotropin levels in healthy young men after 28 days.

Hair Growth Effects of Oral Administration of Finasteride, a Steroid 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, Alone and in Combination with Topical Minoxidil in the Balding Stumptail Macaque

research Hair Growth Effects of Oral Administration of Finasteride, a Steroid 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, Alone and in Combination with Topical Minoxidil in the Balding Stumptail Macaque

34 citations , February 1992 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

In this study, the combination of finasteride and minoxidil significantly increased hair growth in balding male stumptail macaques compared to each drug alone.

Treatment of Hirsutism with the Pure Antiandrogen Flutamide