title: Spironolactone in the treatment of hirsutism.
abstract: Clinical and laboratory studies were performed in 18 hirsute women for evaluation of the efficacy of spironolactone (S) therapy. Each patient received S 100 mg daily. The grade of hirsutism was assessed using a semiquantitative scale of Ferriman and Gallwey. Total testosterone, androstendione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and sexhormone binding globulin were measured before initiation and after six months of therapy. A clinical response was seen in 12 women. The total score of hirsutism in the whole patient group was decreased from 14.1 +/- 6.3 (mean +/- S.D.) to 11.8 +/- 6.4 (p less than 0.01). No changes were found in the hormonal values. The findings of the present study confirm the efficacy of S in decreasing the hair growth by mainly a peripheral mode of action.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turku University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Anttila
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ruutiainen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Erkkola
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000032:analysis; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013148:Spironolactone