Testosterone, 17 Ks, 17 beta E2 FSH-LH variations and hirsutism modifications during spironolactone therapy

The research here reported concerns 9 hirsute women, four of them with PCO and five with idiopathic hirsutism, who underwent treatment with spironolactone. 4 non hirsute hypertensive cases served as control. For one year hair growth, testosterone, 17 Ks, estradiol and gonadotropins behaviours were studied in all of the patients. Results clearly show that the peripherical response (the hair) to the therapy is only just sufficient, and corresponds to a good reduction of the androgenic hormones in blood. However, there is also an LH gonadotropin secretion reduction which is statistically scarcely significant. If the therapeutic response of hair were good, fetal risk could be prevented with safe and contemporaneous contraception. However, since the response is scarcely sufficient, we do not think this therapy is more advisable than other ones.