Treatment of hirsutism with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and estrogen replacement therapy

• Published in: Fertility and sterility Vol. 61; no. 3; pp. 427 - 431
• Main Authors: Morcos, Roy N., Abdul-Malak, Michael E., Shikora, Evan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.03.1994; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Estrogen Replacement Therapy; Female; GnRH-a; Hair - growth & development; Hirsutism; Hirsutism - drug therapy; Hirsutism - etiology; Hirsutism - physiopathology; Hormones. Endocrine system; Humans; Leuprolide - adverse effects; Leuprolide - therapeutic use; Medical sciences; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate - adverse effects; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate - therapeutic use; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - complications; Testosterone - blood; estrogen replacement therapy; GnRH-a; Hirsutism; Endocrinopathy; Skin disease; Agonist; Replacement therapy; Peptide hormone; Estrogen; Gonadotropin RH; Polycystic ovary; Estradiol; Cyst; Benign neoplasm; Hormone releasing factor; Human; Hair; Drug combination; Treatment efficiency; Female sterility; Ovarian hormone; Female genital diseases; Hypothalamic hormone; Ovarian diseases; Chemotherapy; Virilism; Sex steroid hormone
• ISSN: 0015-0282; 1556-5653
• DOI: 10.1016/S0015-0282(16)56570-4

To determine the efficacy of treatment of significant hirsutism with a GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) and estrogen and progestin replacement therapy. Clinical series. Ambulatory gynecology clinic in a community hospital. Ten women with significant hirsutism caused by polycystic ovarian disease. The patients were treated with leuprolide acetate 20 μg/kg per day in combination with E2 (2 mg) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (5 mg) for 6 months. Hirsutism scores and hair growth rates determined before and upon completion of treatment protocol. Hirsutism scores and hair growth rates significantly decreased by 23% and 26%, respectively. The duration of hirsutism was the only significant covariate for hirsutism scores and hair growth rates. Only two patients had minimal, irregular bleeding that was corrected by increasing the estrogen dose. The combination of a GnRH-a and estrogen replacement therapy was an effective and well-tolerated treatment in a small group of women with significant hirsutism caused by PCOD.