75 citations
,
July 2013 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” This study found that combining low-dose spironolactone with metformin provided greater clinical benefits and improved treatment compliance in women with PCOS compared to either drug alone.
143 citations
,
January 2013 in “Dermatologic surgery” This review reports that current in-office laser hair removal devices, particularly the Nd:YAG system for pigmented skin, effectively provide long-term hair removal, though more research on home-use devices is needed.
46 citations
,
October 2012 in “Dermatologic Clinics” This review discusses treatment options for female pattern hair loss, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and the benefits of combined therapies, but reports no new clinical results.
1514 citations
,
December 2011 in “Fertility and sterility” This consensus report reviews current knowledge and identifies knowledge gaps concerning the various health aspects of polycystic ovary syndrome, without presenting new clinical findings.
198 citations
,
October 2011 in “Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft” This article discusses the development of an evidence-based guideline for treating androgenetic alopecia and reports no new research results.
100 citations
,
June 2011 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” This study found that a once-daily 5% minoxidil topical foam is as effective as a twice-daily 2% minoxidil topical solution for hair growth in women with androgenetic alopecia, with fewer side effects and greater styling convenience.
35 citations
,
January 2011 in “Clinical Endocrinology” Metformin should be used for PCOS mainly in those with glucose intolerance, and has limited benefits for infertility or hirsutism.
60 citations
,
February 2010 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” This study suggests that adding metformin to diet and exercise improves insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism in women with PCOS, though lifestyle changes alone may enhance menstrual cycles.
373 citations
,
September 2009 in “Obstetrics & Gynecology” This review examines the best available evidence for diagnosing and managing PCOS but reports no new clinical results.
288 citations
,
June 2009 in “Human reproduction update” This review examines various methods for assessing hair growth in women, highlighting the usefulness of the mFG visual scoring method for diagnosing hirsutism despite its limitations.
17 citations
,
December 2008 in “Dermatology” This study found that adding metformin to IPL therapy in women with PCOS significantly improved insulin sensitivity and reduced hirsutism compared to IPL therapy alone.
343 citations
,
December 2008 in “Endocrine Reviews” This review discusses the various evidence-based and potential applications of metformin in treating and preventing symptoms and complications associated with polycystic ovary syndrome but reports no new clinical results.
212 citations
,
September 2008 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” This review discusses the various treatment options for male and female pattern hair loss and provides no new clinical results; the authors outline the most effective strategies based on existing evidence.
66 citations
,
September 2008 in “Dermatologic therapy” This review discusses medical treatments for hirsutism, focusing on oral contraceptives and other therapies, but reports no new results; the authors emphasize the lack of evidence for insulin sensitizers in treating hirsutism alone.
121 citations
,
April 2008 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” Insulin sensitizers may slightly reduce hirsutism but are less effective than other treatments.
502 citations
,
February 2008 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” This review discusses hirsutism management guidelines, recommending androgen testing only for women with abnormal hirsutism scores and advocating for combined therapy approaches depending on severity and underlying conditions, but it reports no new clinical results.
150 citations
,
February 2008 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism” This study suggests that antiandrogens may slightly reduce hirsutism severity compared to placebo, but evidence is weak and their relative efficacy remains uncertain.
91 citations
,
November 2007 in “European journal of endocrinology” This study found that metformin improved insulin resistance, hyperandrogenemia, anovulation, and acne in PCOS patients, regardless of their level of obesity or initial insulin resistance.
129 citations
,
October 2007 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” This article discusses the evaluation and management of a 45-year-old woman with diffuse scalp-hair loss and reports no new clinical findings.
125 citations
,
February 2007 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” This study found that adding topical eflornithine to laser hair removal significantly improved the reduction of unwanted facial hair in women over a 6-month period, compared to laser treatment alone.
76 citations
,
January 2007 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology” This review discusses the dermatologic features of PCOS as potential early indicators of the syndrome and notes that treatment of these conditions may enhance quality of life and psychological well-being, but it reports no new clinical results.
133 citations
,
July 2006 in “International Journal of Dermatology” This study found that topical eflornithine HCl 13.9% cream effectively reduced facial hair in women, with a favorable safety profile.
97 citations
,
July 2006 in “Dermatologic therapy” This article reviews the diagnosis and treatment approaches for cutaneous manifestations of PCOS, reporting on various treatment options without presenting new clinical results.
67 citations
,
July 2006 in “Clinics in Dermatology” This review discusses the dermatologic manifestations of hyperandrogenism in women and outlines the diagnostic approach and treatment options, reporting no new clinical results.
20 citations
,
April 2006 in “Dermatologic Clinics” This review discusses the role of androgen hormones in skin and hair conditions and highlights the potential of antiandrogen therapies in dermatology, reporting no new results.
108 citations
,
March 2006 in “Archives of Dermatology” This study observed that 62% of premenopausal women with female pattern hair loss reported improvement when treated with oral finasteride and an oral contraceptive containing drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol.
179 citations
,
March 2005 in “British Journal of Dermatology” This study found that 88% of women with female pattern hair loss who received oral antiandrogens saw no progression or improvement in their condition.
104 citations
,
January 2005 in “Climacteric” This review discusses the pharmacological properties of progestins used in contraception and hormone replacement therapy, focusing on drospirenone's unique effects, but reports no new experimental findings.
219 citations
,
March 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” In this 48-week trial, 5% topical minoxidil was more effective than both 2% minoxidil and placebo in promoting hair growth in women with female pattern hair loss, with notable improvements in nonvellus hair count and hair growth assessments.
72 citations
,
January 2004 in “Dermatology” This study found that oral finasteride, at a dosage of 2.5 mg/day or more, may improve hair growth and appearance in postmenopausal women with pattern hair loss, without adverse effects.
56 citations
,
April 2003 in “Fertility and Sterility” This study found that while cyproterone acetate, finasteride, and spironolactone had similar short-term effects in treating idiopathic hirsutism, spironolactone provided more lasting benefits one year after treatment.
40 citations
,
January 2003 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” This study found that finasteride significantly reduced hirsutism in women with idiopathic hirsutism or polycystic ovary syndrome over six months, suggesting its potential effectiveness for this condition.
51 citations
,
October 2002 in “European journal of endocrinology” This study found that both high-dose and low-dose finasteride significantly reduced hirsutism scores in women after 12 months, with the lower dose being safe and cost-effective.
90 citations
,
August 2002 in “European journal of endocrinology” This study found that metformin treatment significantly improved hair growth in women with PCOS and hirsutism compared to a placebo.
149 citations
,
June 2002 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Minoxidil works better for female hair loss, but cyproterone reduces scalp oiliness and causes menstrual issues.
50 citations
,
May 2000 in “Fertility and Sterility” This study found that flutamide was more effective than finasteride in reducing hair growth in women with hirsutism over a one-year period.
75 citations
,
October 1999 in “European journal of endocrinology” This study found that both finasteride and flutamide effectively reduce hirsutism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome or idiopathic hirsutism, but flutamide was more effective.
70 citations
,
August 1995 in “Fertility and Sterility” In this study, women with idiopathic hirsutism who took finasteride for 9 months experienced a significant reduction in hirsutism scores compared to those receiving a placebo, with minimal side effects.
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.
23 citations
,
July 1989 in “Postgraduate medical journal” This study found that spironolactone 100 mg daily did not demonstrate objective benefits in managing idiopathic hirsutism, as it increased hair shaft diameter without reducing serum androgen levels.
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.
64 citations
,
January 1985 in “Clinical endocrinology” In this study, treatment with the oral contraceptive containing 30 μg ethinyl oestradiol and 150 μg desogestrel significantly reduced androgen-dependent hair growth in hirsute women over one year.
53 citations
,
January 1985 in “Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica” This study found that an 8-month treatment with a low-dose oral contraceptive significantly reduced testosterone levels and hair growth in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and hirsutism, with minimal side effects.
