TREATMENT WITH A GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING-HORMONE AGONIST IN ACNE OR IDIOPATHIC HIRSUTISM

Six women with acne and six women with hirsutism were treated with the GnRH analog [D-Ser(Bu(t))6] LHRH-(1-9)ethylamide (Buserelin(R)) for 6 months (nasal spray, 1,200 mug/day) to suppress ovarian steroidogenes is. All women were eumenorrheic and did not demonstrate any adrenal or ovarian dysfunction. During treatment, ovarian steroids, LH and FSH d ecreased, while DHEA-S showed minor modifications; the clinical score for both acne and hirsutism showed a significant reduction. Moreover, acne and hirsutism were still well controlled 6 months after therapy. Gonadal function resumed in all patients after discontinuation of ther apy. Three patients suffered from hot flashes from the 4th month. Thes e data demonstrate that suppression of ovarian steroid secretion might be an efficient treatment in women suffering from acne or idiopathic hirsutism, indicating that ovarian steroids may have a key-role in the pathogenesis of these conditions.