THE EFFECT OF CYPROTERONE ACETATE ON THE PITUITARY-ADRENAL AXIS IN HIRSUTE WOMEN

Abstract

The functioning of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis was assessed in 10 adult women with idiopathic hirsutism treated for 2 wk with the anti-androgen cyproterone acetate in a dose of 50 mg twice daily and in 4 patients treated for at least 3 mo. Basal plasma ACTH and cortisol levels and the cortisol response to 8-h ACTH infusion were comparable before and during short-term treatment. The plasma ACTH and cortisol responses to insulin induced hypoglycemia before and during anti-androgen therapy also were of the same order of magnitude. In the 4 patients treated for at least 3 mo., no suppressive effect of the anti-androgen on basal plasma cortisol levels was observed. Short-term cyproterone acetate treatment in the given dose apparently does not significantly influence pituitary-adrenal function in adult women with idiopathic hirsutism.