TREATMENT OF MODERATE AND SEVERE HIRSUTISM BY GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING-HORMONE AGONISTS IN WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC-OVARY-SYNDROME AND IDIOPATHIC HIRSUTISM

Objective: To compare the therapeutic effects of a GnRH-agonist (GnRH- a), leuprolide acetate (LA) depot, versus LA plus an oral contraceptiv e (OC) containing cyproterone acetate in the treatment of hirsutism. D esign: Randomized study. Setting: Women addressed to the Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. P atients: Thirty-two patients suffering from moderate and severe hirsut ism secondary to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or idiopathic causes were selected.Intervention: Leuprolide acetate was injected IM every 28 days in all patients; 16 women, randomly allocated, received LA plu s OC. At the beginning and at the end of treatment hirsutism score and hair diameters were evaluated. Results: Both treatment arms resulted in a decrease of hirsutism score and hair diameter, both in idiopathic hirsutism (16% to 31% versus 24% to 32%) and in hirsutism secondary t o PCOS (23% to 33% versus 24% to 36%). Conclusions: Gonadotropin-relea sing hormone agonist can improve moderate and severe hirsutism effecti vely. It is necessary to add an OC.