Spironolactone in Combination Drug Therapy for Unresponsive Hirsutism

June 1985 in “ Fertility and sterility ”

Donald E. Pittaway, Wayne S. Maxson, Anne Colston Wentz

spironolactone oral contraceptives dexamethasone androgenic parameters hirsutism combination drug therapy single drug treatments transient diuresis birth control pills

Studysummary This study suggests that combination drug therapy with spironolactone and either oral contraceptives or dexamethasone effectively manages unresponsive hirsutism, with eight of nine patients achieving satisfactory clinical responses.

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In a study from 1985, nine hirsute women who had not responded to single drug therapies were evaluated for the effectiveness of combination drug therapy. The therapies combined spironolactone (100 to 150 mg) with either oral contraceptives or dexamethasone. Hormone levels were measured before and 4 to 6 weeks after starting the combination therapy, and compared to previous responses to single drug treatments. While there was no significant difference in androgenic parameters between the combination and single drug therapies, eight out of nine patients experienced a satisfactory clinical response, defined as a significant reduction in the frequency of hair removal and patient satisfaction. The only side effect observed was transient diuresis. The study concluded that combination drug therapy is effective and well-tolerated for treating hirsutism that does not respond to single drug treatments.

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research Treatment of Hirsutism With Spironolactone

183 citations , March 1982 in “JAMA”

This study reported that spironolactone at 200 mg/day significantly improved facial hair growth in women with hirsutism and showed a sustained reduction in ovarian androgens over one year.

research A Novel Use of Spironolactone: Treatment of Hirsutism

124 citations , September 1980 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

This study found that spironolactone significantly reduced hair growth in hirsute women, with noticeable effects in 3-5 months, and decreased serum testosterone levels in all participants.

research New Therapeutic Approach to the Hirsute Patient

60 citations , September 1979 in “Fertility and sterility”

This study found that spironolactone reduced testosterone production and urinary 17-ketosteroid excretion, leading to a decrease in hair growth rate and a change in hair texture in women.

research Spironolactone Therapy for Hirsutism in a Hyperandrogenic Woman

39 citations , November 1978 in “Annals of internal medicine”

This brief report discusses spironolactone used as a treatment for hirsutism in a hyperandrogenic woman, offering no new clinical findings and focusing on its antiandrogenic properties.

research Chronic Treatment Regimens for Hirsutism in Women: Effect on Blood Production Rates of Testosterone and on Hair Growth

29 citations , May 1975 in “Clinical Endocrinology”

In this study, treatments combining betamethasone and anovulatory steroids significantly reduced testosterone production in women with hirsutism, with many reporting improved hirsutism and acne, although clinical benefit did not consistently correlate with testosterone reduction.