Hormonal Therapy in Dermatology

January 2001 in “ Dermatologic clinics ”

James C. Shaw

hormonal therapy androgens acne hirsutism androgenetic alopecia medications evaluations hormone treatment male hormones hair loss hair growth

Studysummary This article reviews the use of hormonal therapies in dermatology, specifically focusing on their pathophysiologic rationale, indications, commonly used drugs, and pretreatment evaluations, and it reports no new research findings.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document from January 1, 2001, discussed the use of hormonal therapy in dermatology, particularly for conditions influenced by androgens such as acne, hirsutism, and androgenetic alopecia. It highlighted that while hormonal therapy is one of the options for treating acne, it stands as the sole medical treatment for hirsutism and the most promising option for medically managing androgenetic alopecia. The article covered the underlying reasons for using hormonal treatments, the patient demographics, the conditions treated, the most commonly used medications, and the necessary evaluations before initiating treatment.

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21 / 21 results

research The Effects of Finasteride on Scalp Skin and Serum Androgen Levels in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

65 citations , October 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, finasteride doses as low as 0.2 mg per day significantly reduced both scalp skin and serum DHT levels in men with androgenetic alopecia.

research Treatment of Hair Loss

370 citations , September 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

This article discusses the treatment of androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata with finasteride and minoxidil but reports no new clinical results.

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 Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Frontal Male Pattern Hair Loss

187 citations , June 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study reported that finasteride 1 mg/day significantly increased hair growth and slowed hair loss in men with frontal scalp hair thinning over one year, and these benefits continued or improved in the second year.

research Treatment of Hirsutism: Comparisons Between Different Antiandrogens with Central and Peripheral Effects

75 citations , March 1999 in “Fertility and sterility”

This study concluded that finasteride, cyproterone acetate, and flutamide were similarly effective at reducing hirsutism in women, though they acted through different mechanisms.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

581 citations , October 1998 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In male pattern hair loss, this study found that finasteride 1 mg daily significantly slowed hair loss and increased hair growth over two years compared to placebo.

research Beneficial Effect of Spironolactone on Androgenic Alopecia

20 citations , December 1997 in “Clinical Endocrinology”

This article discusses the potential beneficial effect of spironolactone on androgenic alopecia but provides no new clinical findings.

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.

research Testosterone Concentrations and Oligomenorrhea in Women with Acne

6 citations , November 1997 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that women with acne and oligomenorrhea have higher levels of biologically active testosterone compared to those with acne and normal menstrual cycles.

Different Levels of 5α-Reductase Type I and II, Aromatase, and Androgen Receptor in Hair Follicles of Women and Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

research Different Levels of 5α-Reductase Type I and II, Aromatase, and Androgen Receptor in Hair Follicles of Women and Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

416 citations , September 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

People with hair loss have more androgen receptors and enzymes in certain follicles, with men and women showing different patterns.

research Hirsutism

67 citations , January 1997 in “Lancet”

This article discusses the causes of hirsutism, identifying increased androgen production and heightened skin sensitivity, and provides no new clinical results.

research Antiandrogen Therapy in Dermatology

32 citations , November 1996 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This review discusses the use of antiandrogen therapy in dermatology, covering treatments for conditions like acne, hirsutism, and androgenic alopecia but reports no new clinical findings.

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 Antiandrogen And Hormonal Treatment Of Acne

38 citations , October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

This review discusses inflammatory and medication-related skin conditions associated with kidney disease and emphasizes the importance of timely referral to nephrology, reporting no new clinical results.

research Androgen Metabolism as It Affects Hair Growth in Androgenetic Alopecia

143 citations , October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Too much androgen can cause hair loss; finasteride may help.

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 The Role of Oral Contraceptives in the Treatment of Hyperandrogenic Disorders

57 citations , January 1995 in “The American journal of medicine”

This study discusses the use of oral contraceptives as a treatment for hyperandrogenism, showing improvement in hirsutism and acne for many women and possibly providing metabolic benefits with certain formulations.

research Comparison of Flutamide and Spironolactone in the Treatment of Hirsutism: A Randomized Controlled Trial

165 citations , February 1994 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that flutamide was more effective than spironolactone in reducing symptoms of hirsutism and related conditions in premenopausal women, with fewer discontinuations due to side effects.

research Comparison of Sequential Cyproterone Acetate/Estrogen Versus Spironolactone/Oral Contraceptive in the Treatment of Hirsutism

68 citations , May 1991 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

This study found that both cyproterone acetate and spironolactone effectively reduced hair diameter and plasma testosterone levels in hirsute women, with no significant differences between the two treatments.

research Treatment of Hirsutism with the Pure Antiandrogen Flutamide

130 citations , September 1990 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that combining flutamide with an oral contraceptive significantly reduced hirsutism, acne, and seborrhea in patients after seven months, without significant side effects.

research Oral Spironolactone Therapy for Female Patients with Acne, Hirsutism, or Androgenic Alopecia

101 citations , January 1985 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This article discusses oral spironolactone therapy for female patients with acne, hirsutism, or androgenic alopecia and reports no new clinical results.