Short-Term, Low-Dose Spironolactone for Treatment of Hyperandrogenic Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review

This systematic review analyzed 5 randomized controlled trials with 443 participants to assess the efficacy of short-term, low-dose spironolactone for treating hyperandrogenic symptoms in women with PCOS. The findings indicate that spironolactone, especially when combined with metformin, may help manage symptoms like hirsutism, acne, and alopecia. However, the review notes that spironolactone did not significantly reduce serum testosterone levels or BMI compared to metformin alone, and menstrual irregularities were more common in the spironolactone group. The review emphasizes the need for larger, high-quality trials to confirm spironolactone's efficacy and safety due to the limited number of studies and variations in treatment protocols.