The benefits of finasteride for hirsute women with polycystic ovary syndrome or idiopathic hirsutism

Abstract

Finasteride has been used frequently in the treatment of prostate hyperplasia, but this drug inhibits 5alpha-reductase and for this reason could be useful for the treatment of hirsutism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and hormonal effects of finasteride on hirsute women with idiopathic hirsutism or polycystic ovary syndrome. Twenty-four women were randomly divided into two groups: those given placebo and those given finasteride 5 mg/day. The treatment period was 6 months. All patients were evaluated before the beginning of treatment (baseline) and after 3 and 6 months of treatment using clinical examination through Ferriman-Gallwey score, blood pressure, cardiac frequency and body mass index. Also, we collected blood for hormonal determination of levels of prolactin, 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, total and free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione and dihydrotestosterone. Furthermore, all patients were asked about their concerns and satisfaction with the treatment. The results showed that the Ferriman-Gallwey score in the 6th month of finasteride treatment was significantly lower than at baseline and the 3rd month of this drug treatment. The dihydrotestosterone level in the finasteride group was also significantly reduced compared to that in the placebo group. The other hormones did not show any statistical difference during the study. All the patients treated with finasteride perceived a reduction in hirsutism after 6 months. In conclusion, our data suggest that finasteride may be effective for the treatment of the hirsute woman with idiopathic hirsutism or polycystic ovary syndrome.

Green Tea Extract: A Novel Addition to the Antihirsutism Armamentarium?

“…5 Finasteride is a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor that may be effective for the treatment of hirsute woman with idiopathic hirsutism or polycystic ovary syndrome. 6 Thus, an excess of skin 5 alphareductase activity may be considered a cause of hirsutism. 7 Green tea, which is widely consumed in China, Japan, and India, contains polyphenolic compounds that account for 30% of the dry weight of the leaves.…”

The efficacy and use of finasteride in women: a systematic review

“…Four studies, three of which were RCTs, demonstrated a significant decrease in Ferriman-Gallwey (FG) score after 6-12 months of oral finasteride for treatment of idiopathic hirsutism (IH) or hirsutism secondary to PCOS. 43,44,55,64 Another study showed both finasteride (5 mg/day) alone and finasteride with an oral contraceptive to significantly improve hirsutism after 6 months, but only combination therapy showed significant reduction in DHT. 65 There are several prospective studies by Bayram et al on oral finasteride treatment in hirsute women.…”

Controversies in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

“…Significant anti-androgenic effects were shown after 6 months of treatment at 5 mg/day dose [20,21]. The use of 5α-reductase inhibition therapy should be considered when the previous therapy with oral contraceptive and spironolactone is relatively ineffective [22].…”

“…A3 0 -35 day cycle can also be anovulatory. Measurement of serum progesterone in the midluteal stage (Days [21][22] is the best way to evaluate ovulation. Progesterone levels > 2.5 ng/mL may indicate ovulation but values of ≥7 ng/mL are needed for normal luteal function [7].…”