Effect of Leuprolide and Dexamethasone on Hair Growth and Hormone Levels in Hirsute Women: The Relative Importance of the Ovary and the Adrenal in the Pathogenesis of Hirsutism

The study involved 19 hirsute women, 10 with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCO) and 9 with idiopathic hirsutism (IH), who underwent treatment with leuprolide and dexamethasone to assess the impact on hair growth and hormone levels. Leuprolide treatment significantly reduced testosterone and androstenedione levels, with a greater decrease observed in PCO than IH. Hair growth rates decreased more in PCO than IH, correlating with changes in androstenedione levels. Dexamethasone further reduced hormone levels and slightly decreased hair growth rates. The study concluded that the ovary was the primary source of testosterone and androstenedione in PCO, while the adrenal gland was the main source in IH. Adrenal hyperandrogenism was common in both conditions, and androstanediol glucuronide (Adiol-G) was a better marker of adrenal androgen secretion than dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS).