43 citations
,
May 1988 in “British Journal of Dermatology” This study reported that patients with acanthosis nigricans and insulin resistance exhibited higher insulin levels and were associated with increased insulin resistance correlating with serum testosterone levels.
80 citations
,
January 1988 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism” This study observed that high-dose spironolactone frequently caused metrorrhagia in women with idiopathic hirsutism, leading the authors to suggest lower starting doses or additional hormonal therapy.
17 citations
,
January 1986 in “Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica” In this study, spironolactone treatment reduced hair growth in 17 out of 30 patients with hirsutism, but was less effective compared to cyproterone acetate–estrogen therapy.
32 citations
,
August 1985 in “Clinical endocrinology” This study concluded that spironolactone may be an effective therapy for a subgroup of hirsute patients, as it reduced plasma testosterone and improved certain hair growth measures.
50 citations
,
August 1985 in “Journal of steroid biochemistry/Journal of Steroid Biochemistry” This study found that spironolactone directly inhibits 5 alpha-reductase activity in hirsute women, resulting in decreased conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which may contribute to its therapeutic effects.
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.
6 citations
,
January 1984 in “PubMed” This study found that spironolactone reduced androgenic hormones in hirsute women but had only marginal effects on hair growth, making it no more advisable than other therapies.
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.
26 citations
,
December 1981 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” This study observed that most hirsute patients on combined cyproterone acetate and 'Diane' therapy experienced a reduction in hair growth, with hair becoming softer, thinner, and lighter in color over 12 months.
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.
68 citations
,
March 1965 in “The BMJ” Hormones and genetics affect hair growth and patterns, with some changes reversible and others not.