Peripheral androgen blockade versus glandular androgen suppression in the treatment of hirsutism

Article Abstract:

Hirsutism is a condition affecting women characterized by the development of excessive facial and body hair, a deep voice, and fertility problems. It can be inherited or it can be caused by the abnormal production and metabolism of male hormones called androgens. Most cases of hirsutism in women are caused by high levels of androgens in the blood, which are converted to active compounds that can cause the characteristic symptoms. Blood tests that measure androgen levels and metabolism have been used to diagnose hirsutism and to evaluate the effectiveness of drugs in treating the condition. The effectiveness of dexamethasone and spironolactone in treating hirsutism was tested in 20 women over a two-year study period. Treatment with dexamethasone reduced androgen levels in the blood to normal, but did not greatly improve the symptoms of hirsutism. On the other hand, treatment with spironolactone improved the symptoms of hirsutism but did not reduce the amount of androgens in the blood. These findings indicate that even though dexamethasone causes a greater decrease in the amount of androgens in the blood, spironolactone is more effective against the actual symptoms. These results also reveal that measuring the amount of androgens in the blood is not useful for monitoring the effectiveness of drug treatment, and that hirsutism in women is caused by an increase in androgen metabolism. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Measurement, Physiological aspects, Androgens, Dexamethasone, Blood chemical analysis, blood, Spironolactone, Hypertrichosis

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Adnexal torsion in menotropin-induced pregnancies

Article Abstract:

In women being treated for lack of ovulation, a rare complication of menotropin therapy (an agent which stimulates ovulation) is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which can lead to serious illness and death. A report is provided of four women who developed this syndrome with adnexal torsion (twisting of the ovary on its supporting tissues), out of a total of 1,303 women who underwent menotropin treatment during a four-year period. Six hundred forty-eight of these women became pregnant, and the incidence of adnexal torsion was thus one for every 162 menotropin-induced pregnancies. One complication of this condition is deprivation of the ovary's blood supply. Three of the four cases occurred in women pregnant with multiple fetuses, and the ovaries appeared enlarged when examined with ultrasound early in pregnancy. The patients developed sudden, severe abdominal pain, nausea, and tenderness. Removal of the affected ovary and fallopian tube was performed and all pregnancies continued. Since the use of menotropins is increasing, obstetricians should be aware of the possible complication of adnexal torsion in pregnant women who take menotropins. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Diseases, Ovaries, Infertility, Female, Female infertility, Follicle-stimulating hormone

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Calcium channel blockade prevents postsurgical reformation of adnexal adhesions in rabbits

Article Abstract:

A common complication following abdominal and gynecological surgery is the formation of adhesions, scar tissue formed between two tissue surfaces, after surgical manipulation. Attempts to prevent surgical adhesions usually fail. Calcium channel blocker drugs have been found to alter the process of tissue damage and repair by preventing calcium from entering the cells during tissue trauma. To see if calcium channel blockers are useful in preventing adhesions, rabbits receiving a traumatic surgical incision to the uterus were studied. One week after the surgery, the rabbits' adhesions were evaluated and repaired (adhesion lysis). Some of the rabbits were then assigned to receive verapamil, a calcium channel blocker. The extent of adhesions was determined after the animals were killed one week later. There was no difference in adhesion scores before verapamil treatment. However, fewer adhesions were seen after the adhesions were repaired in the verapamil-treated rabbits. Therefore, pre-operative treatment with verapamil significantly inhibited the reformation of adhesions after adhesions were surgically repaired in rabbits. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Models, Prevention, Adhesions, Calcium channel blockers, Operations, Surgical

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