167 citations
,
January 2006 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” This study found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome reported a poorer health-related quality of life compared to women in the general population and patients with other medical conditions.
192 citations
,
September 2003 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism” This study suggests that metformin may be more effective than Dianette in treating moderate to severe hirsutism in women with PCOS, while also reducing markers of insulin resistance.
64 citations
,
May 2003 in “Journal of health psychology” This study found that women with PCOS reported higher overall psychological distress, but there was no significant link between their perceived hirsutism and this distress.
56 citations
,
April 2003 in “Fertility and Sterility” This study found that while cyproterone acetate, finasteride, and spironolactone had similar short-term effects in treating idiopathic hirsutism, spironolactone provided more lasting benefits one year after treatment.
40 citations
,
January 2003 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” This study found that finasteride significantly reduced hirsutism in women with idiopathic hirsutism or polycystic ovary syndrome over six months, suggesting its potential effectiveness for this condition.
12 citations
,
December 2002 in “Fertility and Sterility” In this study, a combination of spironolactone and finasteride was found to significantly improve hirsutism scores without increasing side effects compared to spironolactone alone.
51 citations
,
October 2002 in “European journal of endocrinology” This study found that both high-dose and low-dose finasteride significantly reduced hirsutism scores in women after 12 months, with the lower dose being safe and cost-effective.
90 citations
,
August 2002 in “European journal of endocrinology” This study found that metformin treatment significantly improved hair growth in women with PCOS and hirsutism compared to a placebo.
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.
50 citations
,
May 2000 in “Fertility and Sterility” This study found that flutamide was more effective than finasteride in reducing hair growth in women with hirsutism over a one-year period.
50 citations
,
April 2000 in “Fertility and Sterility” This study found that a combination therapy of Diane 35 with finasteride was more effective at reducing hirsutism scores in women with idiopathic hirsutism or polycystic ovary syndrome after 3 months compared to Diane 35 alone.
46 citations
,
January 2000 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” 
32 citations
,
July 1999 in “Fertility and Sterility” This study found that both finasteride and flutamide effectively reduced hirsutism, with flutamide being more effective than finasteride in decreasing hirsutism scores and hair diameter over 12 months.
75 citations
,
March 1999 in “Fertility and sterility” This study concluded that finasteride, cyproterone acetate, and flutamide were similarly effective at reducing hirsutism in women, though they acted through different mechanisms.
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.
67 citations
,
January 1997 in “Lancet” This article discusses the causes of hirsutism, identifying increased androgen production and heightened skin sensitivity, and provides no new clinical results.
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.
34 citations
,
January 1995 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”
