Treatment of moderate and severe hirsutism by gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and idiopathic hirsutism.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the therapeutic effects of a GnRH-agonist (GnRH-a), leuprolide acetate (LA) depot, versus LA plus and oral contraceptive (OC) containing cyproterone acetate in the treatment of hirsutism.

DESIGN

Randomized study.

SETTING

Women addressed to the Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.

PATIENTS: Thirty-two patients suffering from moderate and severe hirsutism secondary to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or idiopathic causes were selected.

INTERVENTION: Leuprolide acetate was injected IM every 28 days in all patients; 16 women, randomly allocated, received LA plus OC. At the beginning and at the end of treatment hirsutism score and hair diameters were evaluated.

RESULTS

Both treatment arms resulted in a decrease of hirsutism score and hair diameter, both in idiopathic hirsutism (16% to 31% versus 24% to 32%) and in hirsutism secondary to PCOS (23% to 33% versus 24% to 36%).

CONCLUSIONS

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist can improve moderate and severe hirsutism effectively. It is necessary to add an OC.