Spironolactone and estrogen-progestin therapy for hirsutism.

Sixteen women with hirsutism used spironolactone, 100 mg daily without interruption, plus norethindrone (1 mg) and ethinyl estradiol (35 mg) for 21 of each 28 days. Clinical improvement occurred in 11 of the 16 patients and also in an additional patient when the dose of spironolactone was increased to 200 mg daily. Spironolactone 100 mg daily plus norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol resulted in significant reduction in serum total testosterone, serum free testosterone, and percentage of free testosterone. Side effects were infrequent.