Antiandrogenic properties of spironolactone. Clinical trial in the management of female hirsutism

• Published in: Journal of endocrinological investigation Vol. 6; no. 1; p. 23
• Main Authors: Messina, M, Manieri, C, Biffignandi, P, Massucchetti, C, Novi, R F, Molinatti, G M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Italy 01.02.1983
• Subjects: Adult; Androgen Antagonists - therapeutic use; Female; Follicle Stimulating Hormone - blood; Hirsutism - drug therapy; Humans; Luteinizing Hormone - blood; Prolactin - blood; Spironolactone - adverse effects; Spironolactone - therapeutic use; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0391-4097
• DOI: 10.1007/BF03350556

The effect of spironolactone on female hirsutism was studied in 18 patients. The drug was administered at the dose of 400 mg for the first ten days and 300-200 mg later on in a first group of women (Group A); a second group (Group B) was given 200 mg spironolactone for the whole length of therapy. A significant decrease of the index of Ferriman and Gallwey (p = 0.01) was noted from the 100th day of treatment; acne and seborrhoea improved concomitantly. Plasma total testosterone values fell from 0.64 +/- 0.24 ng/ml to 0.32 +/- 0.12 ng/ml (p = 0.002) during the first 5 days only in the patients of Group A; in the other patients no significant changes were observed. PRL did not significantly change from pretreatment values; FSH and LH values at the 5th, 10th, and 15th day of therapy did not show a uniform course in both groups. On the basis of these results spironolactone administration appears promising in the therapy of female hirsutism.