Treatment of moderate and severe hirsutism by gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and idiopathic hirsutism.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the therapeutic effects of a GnRH-agonist (GnRH-a), leuprolide acetate (LA) depot, versus LA plus and oral contraceptive (OC) containing cyproterone acetate in the treatment of hirsutism.


METHODS
Randomized study.


METHODS
Women addressed to the Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients suffering from moderate and severe hirsutism secondary to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or idiopathic causes were selected.


METHODS
Leuprolide acetate was injected IM every 28 days in all patients; 16 women, randomly allocated, received LA plus OC. At the beginning and at the end of treatment hirsutism score and hair diameters were evaluated.


RESULTS
Both treatment arms resulted in a decrease of hirsutism score and hair diameter, both in idiopathic hirsutism (16% to 31% versus 24% to 32%) and in hirsutism secondary to PCOS (23% to 33% versus 24% to 36%).


CONCLUSIONS
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist can improve moderate and severe hirsutism effectively. It is necessary to add an OC.
Falsetti
L
L
Department of Gynecologic Endocrinology, University of Brescia, Italy.
Pasinetti
E
E
D000328:Adult; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D016729:Leuprolide