Medical Treatment of Hirsutism

    September 2008 in “ Dermatologic therapy
    Ulrike Blume‐Peytavi, Susanne Hahn
    Image of study
    TLDR The conclusion is that the best initial treatment for hirsutism is usually oral contraceptives, with the addition of antiandrogens or insulin sensitizers if needed, and topical eflornithine or laser treatments as supplementary options.
    The document from 2008 discusses the medical treatment of hirsutism, which is often caused by conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, and can also be idiopathic or drug-induced. The goal of treatment is to correct hormonal imbalances, reduce hair growth, and improve appearance, thus enhancing the patient's quality of life. The recommended first-line treatment for most women is monotherapy with oral contraceptives that possess antiandrogenic properties. If hirsutism does not improve sufficiently after 6-9 months, combining an oral contraceptive with an antiandrogen is advised. Insulin sensitizers have been found effective for hirsutism in the context of hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance, but not for hirsutism alone. Additionally, topical eflornithine can be used as an adjunct to systemic medications or laser/photoepilation treatments for hirsutism.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    23 / 23 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 25 results

      community How does hair loss and recovery work?

      in Chat  12 upvotes 3 months ago
      Hair loss varies due to genetic sensitivity to DHT and other factors. Treatments discussed include finasteride, minoxidil, RU58841, and microneedling.

      community Female, 30, PCOS diagnosis, MPB Norwood 2. Endo refuses to give anything other than Spironolactone. Feel like I’m at my wit’s end here.

      in Female  53 upvotes 1 year ago
      A 30-year-old female with PCOS and male pattern baldness is frustrated with her endocrinologist's recommendation of only Spironolactone and minoxidil, feeling that dutasteride, finasteride, and progesterone would be more effective. Other users suggest various online sources for treatments, warn against self-medicating due to potential risks, and recommend seeking a specialized endocrinologist or considering additional treatments like Inositol, Berberine, and dermaneedling.

      community AA and Hirsutism but T levels are normal

      in Female  8 upvotes 3 years ago
      27-year-old female experiences aggressive hair thinning and hirsutism despite normal testosterone levels. Spironolactone and 2% minoxidil were ineffective; high DHEA sulfate levels may be the cause.

      community Finasteride 5mg & Spironolactone 100mg

      in Female  2 upvotes 3 weeks ago
      A 20-year-old female is using finasteride 5mg and spironolactone 100mg for severe hirsutism and is experiencing minor side effects like water weight loss and irregular periods. She is concerned about potential future side effects and hair regrowth on her scalp.

      community No, Finasteride as a treatment for MPB was not an "accident"

      in Research/Science  105 upvotes 3 years ago
      Finasteride was intentionally developed to treat BPH and later approved for male pattern baldness (MPB) due to its 5AR inhibition effects. The delay in MPB approval was due to concerns about off-label use for female hirsutism and the prioritization of treating a more debilitating condition.

      community Coegin Pharma to release Follicopeptide (FOL005) by Q2 2025

      in Treatment  118 upvotes 3 months ago
      Follicopeptide (FOL005) by Coegin Pharma will launch as a cosmetic hair growth treatment by Q2 2025, showing similar efficacy to finasteride. Users discuss the benefits and skepticism of releasing hair loss treatments as cosmetics rather than drugs.

    Related Research

    4 / 4 results