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A Novel Use of Spironolactone: Treatment of Hirsutism

Departments of Endocrinology and Metabolism Gynecology and Obstetrics
Hadassah University Hospital Jerusalem, Israel

Address requests for reprints to: German Shapiro, M.D., Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Colorado Medical Center, 4200 East Ninth Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80262.

An excess of androgens is the recognized cause of hirsutism in women. In this study, the antiandrogenic properties of spironolactone were tested clinically in 30 hirsute women. The drug was administered from the 4th to the 22nd day of each menstrual cycle. The moderate side effects in no case forced interruption of the treatment. Hair growth diminished substantially in 23 of the patients, the effect becoming evident 3-5 months after the commencement of treatment. Serum testosterone concentrations decreased in all patients, and estradiol increased in 25 women. Our data suggest that the antiandrogenic properties of spironolactone render it a suitable agent in the treatment of hirsutism.

Received January 4, 1980.

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