TLDR Flutamide effectively reduced excessive hair growth and improved related symptoms in hirsutism patients without significant side effects.
In a study conducted 33 years ago, 20 patients with moderate to severe hirsutism were treated with the antiandrogen flutamide (250 mg twice daily) in combination with an oral contraceptive (Ortho 1/35). The study included 8 patients who had not received previous therapy and 12 who had not responded to treatments such as oral contraceptives, spironolactone, or dexamethasone. The treatment resulted in a rapid and marked decrease in hirsutism scores, reaching the normal range at 7 months, and also improved seborrhea, acne, and hair loss. Additionally, there was a decrease in plasma levels of luteinizing hormone, progesterone, and estradiol, while sex hormone-binding globulin levels, initially low in 18 of the 20 patients, increased significantly. No clinically significant side effects were reported.
8 citations,
January 1987 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” Flutamide, an antiandrogen, has minimal impact on female rat endocrine systems and does not significantly change their reproductive cycles.
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.
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.
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.
30 citations,
January 1998 in “Dermatology” Birth control pills and cyproterone acetate can help treat acne in women, especially when linked to hormonal issues.
11 citations,
January 1998 in “Dermatology” Spironolactone works well for acne and hirsutism, isotretinoin is very effective for acne and may have antiandrogenic effects, and 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors should be considered antiandrogens.
8 citations,
January 1996 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” Cyproterone acetate is the preferred treatment for women's hyperandrogenism when estrogen/progestogen use is safe.
