title: Finasteride in the treatment of hirsutism: new therapeutic perspectives.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine of the clinical and hormonal effects of finasteride (Proscar; Merck, Sharp, and Dohme, Rahway, NJ) in the treatment of idiopathic hirsutism and hirsutism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Controlled clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Istitute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Naples "Federico II."
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten women affected by idiopathic hirsutism and 15 women with PCOS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Finasteride was administered orally at a daily dose of 5 mg for a period of 6 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rating of hirsutism with the Ferriman-Gallwey method; serum androgen assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Finasteride produced a reduction in the average hirsutism scores ( > 50% in all patients), whereas no change was observed in serum T, androstenedione, and DHEAS levels. A significant reduction was measured in serum dihydrotestosterone and 3 alpha, 17 beta-androstenediol glucuronide levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that symptomatic hirsutism has to be considered as a skin disease associated with the increased activity of the 5 alpha-reductase. It also indicates that the selective 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, finasteride, is very effective and well tolerated in the treatment of both idiopathic hirsutism and of hirsutism in patients with PCOS.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Naples Federico II, Italy.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Tolino
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Petrone
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Sarnacchiaro
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Cirillo
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Ronsini
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Lombardi
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Nappi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D018120:Finasteride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D018120:Finasteride