TLDR Insulin sensitizers may slightly reduce hirsutism but are less effective than other treatments.
The systematic review and meta-analyses from 2008 evaluated the effectiveness of insulin sensitizers, such as metformin and thiazolidinediones, in treating hirsutism. The review included 16 trials with 22 comparisons, but these trials were of low methodological quality. The results showed a small decrease in hirsutism severity with insulin sensitizers compared to placebo, but no significant difference when compared with oral contraceptives or antiandrogens. Specifically, the pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) for insulin sensitizers versus placebo was -1.5, indicating a small benefit. However, metformin was less effective than spironolactone and flutamide. The evidence was characterized as imprecise and inconsistent, and the review suggested that insulin sensitizers provide limited or no significant benefit for women with hirsutism. The review also noted the need for future clinical trials with patient-reported outcomes and highlighted the limitations of the studies, including small sample sizes and potential publication bias.
271 citations,
December 2005 in “New England journal of medicine/The New England journal of medicine” The document likely offers guidance on treating a woman's excessive hair growth, considering her symptoms and obesity.
192 citations,
September 2003 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism” Metformin is effective for treating excessive hair growth in women with PCOS and may work better than the standard treatment in some ways.
90 citations,
August 2002 in “European journal of endocrinology” Metformin improves hair growth and menstrual frequency in women with PCOS and hirsutism.
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January 2019 in “Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism” Medications for PCOS don't seem to raise heart disease risk.
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January 2010 in “Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy” No treatment fully stops excessive hair growth in women, but various methods can help manage it effectively.
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January 2014 in “Springer eBooks” Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) often leads to severe acne, and lifestyle changes and hormonal treatments can help manage it.
12 citations,
January 2004 in “Reproductive biomedicine online” Low-dose anti-androgen drugs and certain drug combinations are effective for hirsutism, and insulin sensitizers show promise, especially for those with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
271 citations,
December 2005 in “New England journal of medicine/The New England journal of medicine” The document likely offers guidance on treating a woman's excessive hair growth, considering her symptoms and obesity.
September 2002 in “Comprehensive Therapy” Primary care is key in managing PCOS, focusing on lifestyle changes and medications like birth control and metformin.
