A Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Low Dose Flutamide, Finasteride, Ketoconazole, and Cyproterone Acetate-Estrogen Regimens in the Treatment of Hirsutism

April 1999 in “ The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism ”

Stefano Venturoli, Ombretta Marescalchi, Fabio Colombo, S. Macrelli, B. Ravaioli, A. Bagnoli, Roberto Paradisi, Carlo Flamigni

flutamide finasteride ketoconazole cyproterone acetate estrogen hirsutism Propecia

From the encyclopedia

Finasteride →

Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

Ketoconazole →

antifungal with some anti-androgenic benefits, often used as a shampoo

Cyproterone →

a synthetic anti-androgen and weak progestogen that inhibits DHT binding to androgen receptor

Studysummary This study found that all four treatments—flutamide, finasteride, ketoconazole, and EE-CPA—significantly reduced hirsutism, but EE-CPA and flutamide appeared most effective, with varying effects on androgen levels and side-effect profiles.

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Research cited in this study

13 / 13 results

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.

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 Finasteride in the Treatment of Hirsutism: New Therapeutic Perspectives

50 citations , July 1996 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that finasteride significantly reduced hirsutism scores in women with idiopathic hirsutism and PCOS, despite no changes in serum androgen levels.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Flutamide Alone and Combined with an Oral Contraceptive for the Treatment of Idiopathic Hirsutism

research Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Flutamide Alone and Combined with an Oral Contraceptive for the Treatment of Idiopathic Hirsutism

36 citations , November 1995 in “Clinical endocrinology”

This study found that a low dose of flutamide, both alone and combined with an oral contraceptive, effectively reduced hirsutism in women, with the combination showing more lasting effects post-treatment.

research Clinical and Endocrine Effects of Finasteride, a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, in Women with Idiopathic Hirsutism

70 citations , August 1995 in “Fertility and Sterility”

In this study, women with idiopathic hirsutism who took finasteride for 9 months experienced a significant reduction in hirsutism scores compared to those receiving a placebo, with minimal side effects.

research Treatment of Hirsutism with Flutamide and a Low-Dosage Oral Contraceptive in Polycystic Ovarian Disease Patients

20 citations , December 1994 in “Fertility and sterility”

In this study, treatment with flutamide combined with a low-dose oral contraceptive significantly improved hirsutism in women with polycystic ovarian disease who did not respond to oral contraceptive treatment alone.

research Comparison of Flutamide and Spironolactone in the Treatment of Hirsutism: A Randomized Controlled Trial

165 citations , February 1994 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that flutamide was more effective than spironolactone in reducing symptoms of hirsutism and related conditions in premenopausal women, with fewer discontinuations due to side effects.

research Flutamide in the Treatment of Hirsutism

27 citations , October 1991 in “International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics”

This study observed that flutamide treatment reduced hair growth and improved acne and seborrhea in hirsute women, with increased androstenedione levels and no side effects noted.

research Cyproterone Acetate for Severe Hirsutism: Results of a Double-Blind Dose-Ranging Study

94 citations , July 1991 in “Clinical endocrinology”

In this study, cyproterone acetate at 2 mg daily was found to be as effective as higher doses in reducing hair growth for hirsute women over 12 months.

research Ketoconazole Therapy for Women with Acne and/or Hirsutism

46 citations , August 1990 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

In this study, ketoconazole treatment improved acne in all women and reduced hirsutism in some, but it caused several side effects and requires careful monitoring.

research The Hair Cycle on the Human Thigh and Upper Arm

67 citations , July 1985 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

This study found that males have significantly longer hair on their thighs compared to females, mainly due to a longer anagen phase and a greater rate of growth.

research A Novel Use of Spironolactone: Treatment of Hirsutism

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.

research Use of Cyproterone Acetate in the Treatment of Acne, Hirsutism, and Virilism

232 citations , June 1975 in “Journal of Steroid Biochemistry”

In this study, a treatment regimen combining cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol significantly improved acne and seborrhoea in most women after three months, but had varied effects on hirsutism and alopecia.