Antiandrogen treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome

Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 1999 Jun;28(2):409-21. doi: 10.1016/s0889-8529(05)70077-3.

Abstract

Although hirsutism and androgenetic alopecia are cosmetic problems, they can be psychologically devastating for women. Mechanical hair removal may control the cosmetic appearance of hirsutism, but the underlying problem usually continues to progress. Topical therapies for androgenetic alopecia provide for modest improvement at best, and no topical therapy has been shown to be effective for hirsutism. Antiandrogens, combined with ovarian suppression, offer the best hope for the improvement of hirsutism and androgenetic alopecia in women with PCOS. Improvement will occur in most women. Unless the underlying cause of the PCOS is corrected, medical therapy will need to be continued indefinitely.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alopecia / drug therapy
  • Alopecia / etiology
  • Androgen Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Androgens / biosynthesis
  • Cyproterone Acetate / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Finasteride / therapeutic use
  • Flutamide / therapeutic use
  • Hirsutism / drug therapy
  • Hirsutism / etiology
  • Humans
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / complications
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Spironolactone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Androgen Antagonists
  • Androgens
  • Spironolactone
  • Cyproterone Acetate
  • Finasteride
  • Flutamide