Treatment of Hirsutism by Finasteride and Flutamide in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

January 1997 in “ Gynecological Endocrinology ”

L. Falsetti, Deborah Oliveira De Fusco, G. Eleftheriou, B Rosina

finasteride flutamide hirsutism polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS testosterone dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate hair diameter dry skin Propecia

Studysummary This study found that both finasteride and flutamide effectively reduced hirsutism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, decreasing the Ferriman-Gallwey score and hair diameter without significant side effects.

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The drugs finasteride and flutamide are effective in reducing hirsutism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Both drugs significantly reduced hair growth in all body areas, with flutamide also causing a drop in testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. Finasteride was found to be more effective in reducing hair diameter. The study involved 44 patients who took either drug for 6 months. The study concluded that both drugs are effective treatments for hirsutism in women with PCOS, with flutamide being more effective in reducing hormone levels and inducing dry skin compared to finasteride. However, more research is needed due to the small sample size of the study.

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Research cited in this study

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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 Finasteride

187 citations , January 1994 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and may help with baldness, but effects on sexual function and male fetuses are unclear.

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 Regulation of Androgen Receptor and 5α-Reductase in the Skin of Normal and Hirsute Women

35 citations , May 1986 in “Clinics in endocrinology and metabolism”

This study concludes that high skin 5α-reductase activity may contribute to hirsutism, but the specific regulatory mechanisms and genetic factors remain unclear.

research Evaluation of Hirsutism and Hyperandrogenemia

98 citations , September 1981 in “Fertility and Sterility”