Comparison of Spironolactone and Spironolactone Plus Finasteride in the Treatment of Hirsutism

December 2002 in “ Fertility and Sterility ”

Kursad Unluhizarci, Hatice Everest, Fahri Bayram, Fahrettin Kelestimur

spironolactone finasteride hirsutism antiandrogen drugs Aldactone Propecia

From the encyclopedia

Spironolactone →

powerful topical and oral anti-androgen used mostly by women

Finasteride →

Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

Studysummary In this study, a combination of spironolactone and finasteride was found to significantly improve hirsutism scores without increasing side effects compared to spironolactone alone. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study compared the effectiveness of spironolactone alone versus spironolactone plus finasteride in treating hirsutism in women. Both treatments resulted in significant reductions in hirsutism scores, but the combination therapy had a more significant effect. The study suggests that combined antiandrogen drugs with different mechanisms of action may be an alternative therapy in the treatment of hirsutism.

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Research cited in this study

7 / 7 results

research Finasteride Treatment for One Year in 35 Hirsute Patients

27 citations , July 2009 in “Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes”

This study found that finasteride significantly improved hirsutism scores in women over 12 months and was well-tolerated with no serious side effects.

research Comparison of Diane 35 and Diane 35 Plus Finasteride in the Treatment of Hirsutism

63 citations , March 2001 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that Diane 35 combined with finasteride led to a greater reduction in hirsutism scores over 12 months compared to Diane 35 alone.

research Comparison of Finasteride Versus Spironolactone in the Treatment of Idiopathic Hirsutism

76 citations , December 1997 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that spironolactone was significantly more effective than finasteride in reducing hirsutism scores over 9 months, despite more side effects occurring in the spironolactone group.

research The Clinical Management of Hirsutism

30 citations , April 1997 in “European journal of endocrinology”

The document concludes that managing hirsutism involves identifying the cause, using a scoring system for severity, combining cosmetic and medical treatments, encouraging weight loss, and providing psychological support, while noting the need for more research on drug treatments.

Outcome of Long-Term Treatment with the 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride in Idiopathic Hirsutism: Clinical and Hormonal Effects During a 1-Year Course of Therapy and 1-Year Follow-Up

research Outcome of Long-Term Treatment with the 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride in Idiopathic Hirsutism: Clinical and Hormonal Effects During a 1-Year Course of Therapy and 1-Year Follow-Up

75 citations , November 1996 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that finasteride effectively reduced hirsutism in women during 12 months of treatment, with some effects persisting in the majority after stopping the medication.

research Spironolactone in Combination Drug Therapy for Unresponsive Hirsutism

44 citations , June 1985 in “Fertility and sterility”

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.

research The Effects of Two Doses of Spironolactone on Serum Androgens and Anagen Hair in Hirsute Women

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.