• Finasteride for hirsutism
• Finasteride for hirsutism references

Finasteride for hirsutism

Finasteride may be better known by the brand names Propecia or Proscar which are promoted for use in treating pattern baldness and benign prostate hyperplasia respectively. Finasteride is a type II 5alpha reductase inhibitor. This enzyme blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and DHT is a potent stimulator of hair loss in scalp follicles and hair growth in body hair follicles that have androgen receptors. Because of these properties, several studies have been conducted to see if finasteride could be used to treat excess hair growth in women as caused by DHT.

When finasteride was tested on postmenopausal women with pattern baldness there was little or no response. However, in trials for hirsutism finasteride has some significant promise. Some trials have compared finasteride alone with currently available antiandrogen treatments while other studies have combined finasteride with antiandrogens such as cyproterone acetate. Results with finasteride alone have been comparable with oral antiandrogens and the combination of finasteride plus other antiandrogens have shown an improved effect over using treatments separately.

The cause of hirsutism is not the same in all women and finasteride may not be an appropriate treatment in every situation. However, finasteride may be a readily available and relatively safe treatment option. The most significant side effect is that male fetuses will develop with female genitalia in any pregnant woman using finasteride. Consequently, dermatologists ensure one or more forms of birth control are used by any woman using finasteride. Other side effects reported include breast enlargement and increased libido (in contrast to decreased libido in men).

Finasteride for hirsutism references

• Muderris II, Bayram F, Guven M. A prospective, randomized trial comparing flutamide (250 mg/d) and finasteride (5 mg/d) in the treatment of hirsutism. Fertil Steril. 2000 May;73(5):984-7.
• Tartagni M, Schonauer LM, De Salvia MA, Cicinelli E, De Pergola G, D'Addario V. Comparison of Diane 35 and Diane 35 plus finasteride in the treatment of hirsutism. Fertil Steril. 2000 Apr;73(4):718-23.
• Petrone A, Civitillo RM, Galante L, Giannotti F, D'Anto V, Rippa G, Tolino A. Usefulness of a 12-month treatment with finasteride in idiophathic and polycystic ovary syndrome-associated hirsutism. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 1999;26(3-4):213-6.
• Moghetti P, Tosi F, Tosti A, Negri C, Misciali C, Perrone F, Caputo M, Muggeo M, Castello R. Comparison of spironolactone, flutamide, and finasteride efficacy in the treatment of hirsutism: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2000 Jan;85(1):89-94.
• Falsetti L, Gambera A, Legrenzi L, Iacobello C, Bugari G. Comparison of finasteride versus flutamide in the treatment of hirsutism. Eur J Endocrinol. 1999 Oct;141(4):361-7.
• Bayram F, Muderris II, Sahin Y, Kelestimur F. Finasteride treatment for one year in 35 hirsute patients. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 1999;107(3):195-7.
• Venturoli S, Marescalchi O, Colombo FM, Macrelli S, Ravaioli B, Bagnoli A, Paradisi R, Flamigni C. A prospective randomized trial comparing low dose flutamide, finasteride, ketoconazole, and cyproterone acetate-estrogen regimens in the treatment of hirsutism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999 Apr;84(4):1304-10.
• Fruzzetti F, Bersi C, Parrini D, Ricci C, Genazzani AR. Treatment of hirsutism: comparisons between different antiandrogens with central and peripheral effects. Fertil Steril. 1999 Mar;71(3):445-51.
• Faloia E, Filipponi S, Mancini V, Di Marco S, Mantero F. Effect of finasteride in idiopathic hirsutism. J Endocrinol Invest. 1998 Nov;21(10):694-8.
• Erenus M, Yucelten D, Durmusoglu F, Gurbuz O. Comparison of finasteride versus spironolactone in the treatment of idiopathic hirsutism. Fertil Steril. 1997 Dec;68(6):1000-3.
• Guarna A, Belle C, Machetti F, Occhiato EG, Payne AH, Cassiani C, Comerci A, Danza G, De Bellis A, Dini S, Marrucci A, Serio M. 19-nor-10-azasteroids: a novel class of inhibitors for human steroid 5alpha-reductases 1 and 2. J Med Chem. 1997 Mar 28;40(7):1112-29.
• Castello R, Tosi F, Perrone F, Negri C, Muggeo M, Moghetti P. Outcome of long-term treatment with the 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride in idiopathic hirsutism: clinical and hormonal effects during a 1-year course of therapy and 1-year follow-up. Fertil Steril. 1996 Nov;66(5):734-40.
• Tolino A, Petrone A, Sarnacchiaro F, Cirillo D, Ronsini S, Lombardi G, Nappi C. s Finasteride in the treatment of hirsutism: new therapeutic perspectives. Fertil Steril. 1996 Jul;66(1):61-5.
• Mestayer C, Berthaut I, Portois MC, Wright F, Kuttenn F, Mowszowicz I, Mauvais-Jarvis P. Predominant expression of 5 alpha-reductase type 1 in pubic skin from normal subjects and hirsute patients. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1996 May;81(5):1989-93.
• Chen W, Zouboulis CC, Orfanos CE. The 5 alpha-reductase system and its inhibitors. Recent development and its perspective in treating androgen-dependent skin disorders. Dermatology. 1996;193(3):177-84.
• Ciotta L, Cianci A, Calogero AE, Palumbo MA, Marletta E, Sciuto A, Palumbo G. Clinical and endocrine effects of finasteride, a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, in women with idiopathic hirsutism. Fertil Steril. 1995 Aug;64(2):299-306.
• Wong IL, Morris RS, Chang L, Spahn MA, Stanczyk FZ, Lobo RA. A prospective randomized trial comparing finasteride to spironolactone in the treatment of hirsute women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1995 Jan;80(1):233-8.
• Moghetti P, Castello R, Magnani CM, Tosi F, Negri C, Armanini D, Bellotti G, Muggeo M. Clinical and hormonal effects of the 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride in idiopathic hirsutism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1994 Oct;79(4):1115-21.
• Fruzzetti F, de Lorenzo D, Parrini D, Ricci C. Effects of finasteride, a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, on circulating androgens and gonadotropin secretion in hirsute women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1994 Sep;79(3):831-5.