The Challenging Role of Antiandrogens in the Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

November 2021 in “ Elsevier eBooks ”

Kasiani Papadimitriou, Panagiotis Anagnostis, Dimitrios G. Goulis

TLDR Antiandrogens are used to manage polycystic ovary syndrome by reducing androgen levels or controlling their effects, often combined with lifestyle changes and other treatments.

The document discusses the role of antiandrogens in managing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition characterized by excessive androgen secretion leading to hirsutism, acne, and/or alopecia in women and adolescents. Antiandrogens, including antiandrogenic progestins, spironolactone, flutamide, bicalutamide, finasteride, and dutasteride, are used to lower androgen concentrations or control their effect at the tissue level. These drugs can act as antagonists to the androgen receptor or to gonadotropins and/or inhibitors of the 5α-reductase activity. Treatment with antiandrogens is often combined with lifestyle modifications, topical aesthetic therapies, and/or other pharmacologic treatments, and should be individualized to improve quality of life and health outcomes.

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