Treatment of hirsutism, acne and alopecia with cyproterone acetate

Cyproterone acetate, combined with ethinyl estradiol, was administered to 60 women (mean age: 25 years) suffering from hirsutism, acne and alopecia for 3--39 months. The rate of success was 94% for acne, 85% for hirsutism and 55% for alopecia. These results are comparable to those already reported. No correlation was found between the degree of the disease or plasma levels of testosterone, androstenedione, respectively urinary 17-cetosteroids, and the effectiveness of the treatment. Side effects were rare and identical in frequency and nature to those encountered during treatment with estrogen-containing contraceptives.