Spironolactone Therapy for Hirsutism in a Hyperandrogenic Woman

Abstract

Brief Reports1 November 1978Spironolactone Therapy for Hirsutism in a Hyperandrogenic WomanK. PATRICK OBER, M.D., JOHN F. HENNESSY, M.D.K. PATRICK OBER, M.D., JOHN F. HENNESSY, M.D.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-89-5-643 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptSpironolactone is generally used in clinical situations that take advantage of its action as an aldosterone antagonist. It has a number of side effects such as gynecomastia, decreased libido, and impotence, which suggest that it also interferes with androgen action (1). Explanations for the antiandrogenic action of this drug include decreased testosterone formation (2), increased peripheral conversion of testosterone to estradiol (3), and competitive inhibition of the binding of dihydrotestosterone to its receptor (4).Regardless of the mechanism, spironolactone-induced antiandrogenic activity could theoretically benefit the patient with polycystic ovarian disease or ovarian hyperthecosis. These disorders are marked by elevated levels...References1. LORIAUXMENARDTAYLORPITASANTEN DRAJR: Spironolactone and endocrine dysfunction. Ann Intern Med 85:630-636, 1976 LinkGoogle Scholar2. MENARDSTRIPPGILLETTE RBJ: Spironolactone and testicular cytochrome P-450: decreased testosterone formation in several species and changes in hepatic drug metabolism. Endocrinology 94:1628-1636, 1974 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. ROSEUNDERWOODNEWMARKKISCHWILLIAMS LRSEG: Pathophysiology of spironolactone-induced gynecomastia. Ann Intern Med 87:398-403, 1977 LinkGoogle Scholar4. RIFKAPITAVIGERSKYWILSONLORIAUX SJRYD: Interaction of digitalis and spironolactone with human sex steroid receptors. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 46:338-344, 1978 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. DEVANECZEKALAJUDDYEN GNHS: Circulating gonadotropins, estrogens and androgens in polycystic ovarian disease. Am J Obstet Gynecol 121:496-500, 1975 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. STRIPPTAYLORBARTTERGILLETTELORIAUXEASLEYMENARD BAFJDRR: Effect of spironolactone on sex hormones in man. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 41:777-781, 1975 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. TAYLORMITCHELLROLLINSSNODGRASSBARTTER AJDWF: Effect of spironolactone (S) on adrenal and gonadal steroids in man (abstract). Clin Res 24:279A, 1976 Google Scholar8. CAMINOS-TORRESMASNYDER RLP: Gynecomastia and semen abnormalities induced by spironolactone in normal men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 45:255-260, 1977 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. 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Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Bowman Gray School of Medicine Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, North Carolina PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byHepatic manifestations of women with polycystic ovary syndromeManagement of acne vulgaris with hormonal therapies in adult female patientsDiagnosis and treatments of hirsutism: where are we?Ovarian Hypertension: Polycystic Ovary SyndromeInnovative Use of Spironolactone as an Antiandrogen in the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair LossDisorders of HairHormonal therapies in acneAcneHirsutism and the effectiveness of spironolactone in its managementSpironolactone Directly Inhibits Proliferation of Cultured Human Facial Sebocytes and Acts Antagonistically to Testosterone and 5α-Dihydrotestosterone In VitroHirsutism: Metabolic effects of two commonly used oral contraceptives and spironolactoneSpironolactone in dermatologic therapyAntiandrogens: Clinical applicationsPotential utility of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists in the management of ovarian hyperandrogenismAntiandrogens and Hair Growth: Basic Concepts and Experimental ResearchAntiandrogens: Clinical AspectsPolycystic ovarian disease: Endocrinological parameters with specific reference to growth hormone and somatomedin-CA comparative study of Aldactone® and Diane® in the treatment of hirsutismThe endocrine effects of spironolactone used as an antiandrogenEndocrine and clinical effects of spironolactone in female hyperandrogenismSpironolactone in the treatment of hirsutismOral spironolactone: an effective treatment for acne vulgaris in womenSpironolactone in the Treatment of Idiopathic Hirsutism and the Polycystic Ovary SyndromeTHE EFFECT OF SPIRONOLACTONE ON HIRSUTISM AND FEMALE ANDROGEN METABOLISMSpironolactone in combination drug therapy for unresponsive hirsutismHirsutism: Evaluation and treatmentPolycystic ovarian disease: current concepts of pathophysiology and therapyThe interaction of canrenone with oestrogen and progesterone receptors in human uterine cytosol.Clinical evaluation of the effects of combined treatment with bromocriptine and spironolactone in two women with the polycystic ovary syndromeEffects of some clinically encountered drugs on steroid synthesis and degradation 1 November 1978Volume 89, Issue 5_Part_1Page: 643-644KeywordsAldosteroneAndrogensDrugsErectile dysfunctionEstradiolTestosterone ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 November 1978 PDF downloadLoading ...