title: Spironolactone in the treatment of idiopathic hirsutism and the polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: Forty-eight hirsute women were treated with spironolactone 100 mg twice daily for 3 to 12 months. Both facial and body hirsuties improved by 30-40%, and there was a threefold reduction in frequency of local treatments such as waxing or shaving. Plasma testosterone fell by 30%, though the improvement in hirsuties grading did not correlate with the fall in plasma testosterone. Six subjects discontinued treatment because of lack of effect, and 4 because of menstrual disturbance. Spironolactone was equally effective in the treatment of idiopathic hirsutism and of the polycystic ovary syndrome.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000139:chemically induced; D008875:Middle Aged; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D013148:Spironolactone; D013739:Testosterone