L. Falsetti et al., TREATMENT OF HIRSUTISM BY FINASTERIDE AND FLUTAMIDE IN WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC-OVARY-SYNDROME, Gynecological endocrinology, 11(4), 1997, pp. 251-257
Forty-four hirsute patients with polycystic ovary syndrome were random
ly treated with finasteride (5 mg daily) or flutamide (259 mg twice da
ily) for 6 consecutive months. Hirsutism was evaluated before and afte
r therapy with the Ferriman-Gallwey score and with measurement of hair
diameter (mu m). The hairs were taken from four different body areas:
the face, abdomen, thighs and forearm. The measurement was carried ou
t with a micrometer applied to the optical microscope. Mean plasma con
centrations of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, 17 a
lpha-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, testosterone, free testoste
rone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, insulin, and sex hormone binding
globulin were determined before and after therapy. Hematochemical exa
minations and side-effects were controlled after the treatment. After
6-months' therapy, both antiandrogens significantly reduced the Ferrim
an-Gallwey score and hair diameter in all the body areas. Finasteride
reduced the Ferriman-Gallwey score by 25% and hair diameter by 26-25%;
flutamide reduced the score by 20% and hair diameter by 15.3-22%. Abd
ominal hairs were more sensitive to both drugs. Flutamide induced a si
gnificant drop in total testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfat
e. No important side-effect or change ill the hematochemical parameter
s was observed. Our data demonstrate that finasteride and flutamide ar
e effective in the treatment of hirsutism in patients with polycystic
ovary syndrome.