Testosterone, 17 Ks, 17 Beta E2 FSH-LH Variations and Hirsutism Modifications During Spironolactone Therapy

    January 1984 in “ PubMed ”
    P Spandri, Michele Gangemi, Giovanni Battista Nardelli, Giorgio Meneghetti, R Grandesso, D. De Salvia, Giovanni B. Ambrosio, O. Predebon
    From the encyclopedia
    Spironolactone →

    powerful topical and oral anti-androgen used mostly by women

    Estradiol →

    an estrogen promoting hair regrowth more commonly used in women

    Studysummary 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.
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    In a study conducted 40 years ago, 9 hirsute women, 4 with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCO) and 5 with idiopathic hirsutism, were treated with spironolactone for a year. The study also included 4 non-hirsute hypertensive cases as controls. The researchers observed hair growth, testosterone, 17 Ks, estradiol, and gonadotropins behaviors in all patients. The results showed that the peripheral response (the hair) to the therapy was just sufficient, corresponding to a good reduction of the androgenic hormones in the blood. However, there was also a reduction in LH gonadotropin secretion, which was statistically barely significant. The researchers concluded that while the therapeutic response of hair was good, the overall response was barely sufficient, making this therapy not more advisable than others.
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