TLDR Spironolactone is a safe and effective treatment for reducing excessive hair growth in women.
The study from 1982 evaluated the effectiveness of spironolactone in treating hirsutism in 39 patients, administering 200 mg/day. Significant improvement in facial hair growth was observed in 19 of 20 patients with moderate to severe hirsutism within two months, with maximal effects at six months and maintained at 12 months. The treatment was effective for both polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) and idiopathic hirsutism, reducing ovarian androgen levels without affecting adrenal androgen and cortisol levels. No significant side effects were reported apart from transient diuresis. The study concluded that spironolactone is a highly effective and safe treatment for hirsutism, with additional benefits of potentially restoring cyclic ovarian function in amenorrheic patients with PCO syndrome, but should be used with effective contraception due to its potent antiandrogen effects.
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.
60 citations,
September 1979 in “Fertility and sterility” Spironolactone can reduce hair growth in women with hirsutism.
43 citations,
November 1975 in “Archives of Dermatology” Testosterone affects hair loss, acne, and excessive hair growth, and antiandrogens can help treat these conditions.
29 citations,
May 1975 in “Clinical Endocrinology” Combination therapy significantly reduces testosterone and moderately reduces hair growth in women with hirsutism.
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.
169 citations,
August 2004 in “Baillière's best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology/Baillière's best practice and research in clinical obstetrics and gynaecology” Lower doses of treatments for hirsutism and acne in PCOS are effective and cause fewer side effects.
