67 citations
,
February 2010 in “Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica” Hirsutism is a strong sign of high male hormones and metabolic problems in women with PCOS, but acne and hair loss are not.
112 citations
,
April 2009 in “Cochrane library” Spironolactone may reduce excessive hair growth in women but its effectiveness for acne is not supported.
105 citations
,
January 2009 in “Medicine” Hirsutism is more linked to high androgen levels than acne or hair loss, and a mix of hormonal tests is best for diagnosis; certain treatments can reduce symptoms.
96 citations
,
September 2008 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery” Hormonal treatments, including birth control and antiandrogens, can effectively treat acne in women.
97 citations
,
July 2006 in “Dermatologic therapy” The document concludes that accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment are important for skin problems in women with PCOS.
414 citations
,
August 2005 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Polycystic ovary syndrome costs the U.S. over $4 billion a year, mainly from treating related health issues.
169 citations
,
October 2004 in “Baillière's best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology/Baillière's best practice and research in clinical obstetrics and gynaecology” Lower doses of treatments for hirsutism and acne in PCOS are effective and cause fewer side effects.
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.
195 citations
,
May 2003 in “Obstetrics and gynecology (New York. 1953. Online)/Obstetrics and gynecology” Most women with excess hair growth have an underlying hormonal issue, often treated with medication and hair removal methods.
78 citations
,
January 2003 in “Dermatology” Hormonal therapy is becoming a promising treatment for acne.
94 citations
,
January 2000 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Spironolactone most effective for hirsutism, but has side effects.
78 citations
,
January 2000 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” Norgestimate is the most effective birth control progestin for reducing an enzyme linked to acne and excessive hair growth in women.
633 citations
,
September 1998 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” PCOS affects a similar percentage of Black and White women in the Southeastern United States.
35 citations
,
June 1997 in “Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences” Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary care are crucial for managing PCOS in adolescents.
57 citations
,
August 1995 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Acne severity is linked to higher levels of certain androgenic hormones, even when those levels are within the normal range.
52 citations
,
January 1995 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Finasteride and spironolactone both reduce hirsutism, but finasteride lowers androgen levels more.
165 citations
,
February 1994 in “Fertility and Sterility” Flutamide is more effective and has fewer side effects than spironolactone for treating hirsutism.
130 citations
,
September 1990 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Flutamide effectively reduced excessive hair growth and improved related symptoms in hirsutism patients without significant side effects.
183 citations
,
March 1982 in “JAMA” Spironolactone is a safe and effective treatment for reducing excessive hair growth in women.