A Comparative Study of Aldactone and Diane in the Treatment of Hirsutism

August 1987 in “ Journal of steroid biochemistry/Journal of Steroid Biochemistry ”

O. C. Lunde, O. Djøseland

Aldactone Diane hirsutism LH cyproterone acetate CPA spironolactone

From the encyclopedia

Spironolactone →

powerful topical and oral anti-androgen used mostly by women

Cyproterone →

a synthetic anti-androgen and weak progestogen that inhibits DHT binding to androgen receptor

Studysummary This study suggests that Aldactone may be more effective than Diane in reducing hair growth, despite having minimal impact on hormone levels.

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

In a study from 1987 involving 36 women, Aldactone® (50 mg per day) was compared to Diane® for the treatment of hirsutism. The study found that while Aldactone had little effect on hormone concentrations except for a significant reduction in LH after 12 months, all 14 women treated with it reported reduced hair growth, and 58% noted a decrease in new hair growth after 5 months. In contrast, Diane led to a marked decrease in hormone levels and affected hair parameters, but the clinical effects were not as pronounced as with Aldactone, with about 20% of the 22 women showing no response in hair growth reduction, new hair formation, or hair softening. Additionally, the response time was longer with Diane than with Aldactone. The results suggest that Aldactone may have a better clinical effect on hair parameters at the dosages used, despite its minimal hormonal effects. However, it was noted that Diane contains only 2 mg of cyproterone acetate (CPA), and a higher dosage might yield better results.

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Research cited in this study

11 / 11 results

research Spironolactone in Combination Drug Therapy for Unresponsive Hirsutism

44 citations , June 1985 in “Fertility and sterility”

This study suggests that combination drug therapy with spironolactone and either oral contraceptives or dexamethasone effectively manages unresponsive hirsutism, with eight of nine patients achieving satisfactory clinical responses.

research Hirsutism: Evaluation and Treatment

42 citations , February 1985 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study reports that once neoplastic causes are excluded, functional hirsutism can be effectively treated with low-dose dexamethasone, oral contraceptives, and spironolactone.

research The Effects of Two Doses of Spironolactone on Serum Androgens and Anagen Hair in Hirsute Women

142 citations , February 1985 in “Fertility and sterility”

This study found that spironolactone reduced serum androstenedione and anagen hair shaft diameter in hirsute patients but did not significantly alter unbound testosterone levels, suggesting its effects are primarily peripheral.

research Androgen Metabolism in Hirsute Patients Treated with Cyproterone Acetate

64 citations , March 1984 in “Journal of steroid biochemistry/Journal of Steroid Biochemistry”

In this study, cyproterone acetate combined with estradiol dramatically improved hirsutism symptoms and significantly reduced plasma testosterone and androstenedione levels in patients over periods of up to three years.

research Treatment of Hirsutism With Spironolactone

183 citations , March 1982 in “JAMA”

This study reported that spironolactone at 200 mg/day significantly improved facial hair growth in women with hirsutism and showed a sustained reduction in ovarian androgens over one year.

research A Novel Use of Spironolactone: Treatment of Hirsutism

124 citations , September 1980 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

This study found that spironolactone significantly reduced hair growth in hirsute women, with noticeable effects in 3-5 months, and decreased serum testosterone levels in all participants.

research New Therapeutic Approach to the Hirsute Patient

60 citations , September 1979 in “Fertility and sterility”

This study found that spironolactone reduced testosterone production and urinary 17-ketosteroid excretion, leading to a decrease in hair growth rate and a change in hair texture in women.

research The Development and Evaluation of an Ovulation Inhibitor (Diane) Containing an Antiandrogen

33 citations , January 1979 in “Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica”

This study found that Diane®, a combination of cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol, is an effective contraceptive and treatment for acne and seborrhea, but less effective for pronounced hair growth.

research Spironolactone Therapy for Hirsutism in a Hyperandrogenic Woman

39 citations , November 1978 in “Annals of internal medicine”

This brief report discusses spironolactone used as a treatment for hirsutism in a hyperandrogenic woman, offering no new clinical findings and focusing on its antiandrogenic properties.

research Use of Cyproterone Acetate in the Treatment of Acne, Hirsutism, and Virilism

232 citations , June 1975 in “Journal of Steroid Biochemistry”

In this study, a treatment regimen combining cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol significantly improved acne and seborrhoea in most women after three months, but had varied effects on hirsutism and alopecia.

research The Evaluation of the Role of Androgens in Hirsutism and the Use of a New Anti-Androgen Cyproterone Acetate for Therapy

58 citations , July 1974 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

This study found that cyproterone acetate, given with ethinyl oestradiol, significantly reduced hirsutism in women after 12 months, although improvements reversed once cyproterone acetate was stopped.