Comparison of finasteride versus spironolactone in the treatment of idiopathic hirsutism.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of finasteride and spironolactone in the treatment of idiopathic hirsutism.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, single-blind study.


METHODS
A tertiary hirsutism clinic.


METHODS
Forty women with idiopathic hirsutism were selected.


METHODS
Patients were assigned randomly to receive either 5 mg of finasteride or 100 mg of spironolactone for 9 months.


METHODS
Hirsutism scores were measured according to the Ferriman-Gallwey scoring system, and side effects were monitored for 9 months of treatment. Blood samples were taken at each visit for assessment of endocrine, biochemical, and hematologic parameters.


RESULTS
Hirsutism scores were decreased significantly in both groups at the end of 9 months. The mean percent change (+/- SD) in hirsutism scores in the finasteride and spironolactone groups was as follows: 5.91% +/- 7.18% and 20.60% +/- 12.59% at 3 months, 10.61% +/- 12.18% and 32.57% +/- 15.68% at 6 months, and 15.15% +/- 15.38% and 42.36% +/- 12.31% at 9 months, respectively. There was a significantly better response with spironolactone treatment at the end of 9 months. Eleven (55%) of 20 patients in the spironolactone group experienced side effects. However, none of them stopped treatment because of side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
The present data suggest that both finasteride and spironolactone are effective in the treatment of idiopathic hirsutism. However, it appears that the spironolactone group responded significantly better.
Erenus
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
Yücelten
D
D
Durmuşoğlu
F
F
Gürbüz
O
O
D000328:Adult; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D018120:Finasteride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; D013148:Spironolactone; D018120:Finasteride