Differential Suppression of Testosterone and Estradiol in Hirsute Women With the Superactive Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Leuprolide

The study investigated the effects of the GnRH agonist leuprolide on 10 hirsute women, including those with idiopathic hirsutism and polycystic ovarian syndrome, to determine the necessary dose for suppressing ovarian testosterone secretion. It was found that low doses of leuprolide effectively suppressed serum estradiol and the LH response to GnRH, but higher doses (15 micrograms/kg.day or more) were required to maximally suppress serum testosterone and basal LH levels. The addition of dexamethasone further reduced testosterone levels. Clinically, 9 women showed symptomatic improvement in hirsutism, with decreased hirsutism scores and hair growth rates, indicating that leuprolide, particularly at 20 micrograms/kg.day, was effective in reducing hair growth in most participants.