How Hirsutism Medications Work

Hirsutism is a condition characterized by excessive hair growth in women, often due to high levels of androgens such as testosterone. Medications used to treat hirsutism work by either reducing the production of androgens or blocking their effects on the body.

Gold Standard: Spironolactone

Spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic, is considered the gold standard for treating hirsutism. It works by:

• Binding to androgen receptors in the skin, thereby reducing the effects of androgens on hair growth.
• Inducing a negative feedback loop that reduces the production of androgens in the adrenal glands.

Alternatives: Flutamide, Cyproterone Acetate, and Ethinyl Estradiol/Cyproterone Acetate Combination

Other medications used to treat hirsutism include:

• Flutamide, a nonsteroidal antiandrogen that blocks the effects of androgens on the body.
• Cyproterone Acetate, an antiandrogen that reduces the production of androgens in the adrenal glands.
• Ethinyl Estradiol/Cyproterone Acetate Combination, a hormonal therapy that combines estrogen with cyproterone acetate to reduce androgen levels and prevent hair growth.