Effect of chronic combined glucocorticoid and estrogen on serum androgens and androgen binding in hirsutism.

Forth-six patients with hirsutism are presented herein. Twenty-four of these patients had menstrual irregularities. Treatment with 5 mg prednisone at bedtime, and 0.625 to 1.25 mg conjugated estrogens daily except during menses resulted in a signficant decrease in serum 17 beta-ol androgens, and an even more statistically significant increase in serum androgen binding. Thus the biochemical abnormalities associated with hirsutism were improved and no apparent side effects were observed.