6533b82dfe1ef96bd1290954

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Anti-androgens for the treatment of hirsutism.

Enrico Carmina

subject

medicine.medical_specialtyCholestenone 5 alpha-ReductaseHirsutismAnti-Androgenurologic and male genital diseasesFlutamideGonadotropin-Releasing Hormonechemistry.chemical_compoundInternal medicineAndrogen Receptor AntagonistsMedicineHumansPharmacology (medical)Androgen Receptor AntagonistshirsutismPharmacologybusiness.industryCyproterone acetateAndrogen AntagonistsGeneral Medicinemedicine.diseaseAndrogen receptorEndocrinologyTreatment OutcomechemistrySpironolactoneFinasterideAndrogensFemalebusinessOxidoreductases

description

Many alternatives exist for treating hirsutism. Based on an analysis of scientific literature and on the experiences of the author, the most common anti-androgen agents are discussed in this review. Androgen receptor blockers (cyproterone acetate, flutamide and spironolactone), 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors (finasteride) and androgen-suppressing agents (gonadotrophin-releasing hormone [GnRH] agonists, oestroprogestins, corticosteroids and insulin-sensitising agents) are evaluated and compared. The importance of diagnosis in choosing the most appropriate anti-androgen treatment is also discussed.

10.1517/13543784.11.3.357https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11866665