Spironolactone in the treatment of hirsutism

Clinical and laboratory studies were performed in 18 hirsute women for evaluation of the efficacy of spironolactone (S) therapy. Each patient received S 100 mg daily. The grade of hirsutism was assessed using a semiquantitative scale of Ferriman and Gallwey. Total testosterone, androstendione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and sexhormone binding globulin were measured before initiation and after six months of therapy. A clinical response was seen in 12 women. The total score of hirsutism in the whole patient group was decreased from 14.1 +/- 6.3 (mean +/- S.D.) to 11.8 +/- 6.4 (p less than 0.01). No changes were found in the hormonal values. The findings of the present study confirm the efficacy of S in decreasing the hair growth by mainly a peripheral mode of action.