Antiandrogen Therapy: An Overview
Androgen hormones are essential for the development and maintenance of male characteristics. Antiandrogen therapy is a type of medical treatment that aims to reduce the production or action of androgens in the body. This therapy is used to treat a variety of medical conditions, such as prostate cancer, hirsutism, and acne. In this article, we will discuss the different types of antiandrogen therapy, the indications for its use, and the potential side effects.
Antiandrogen therapy is a form of hormone therapy that works by blocking the effects of androgen hormones in the body. The primary types of antiandrogens used in clinical practice include cyproterone acetate (CPA), flutamide, and spironolactone. CPA is usually used as a synthetic progestin and is used to treat prostate cancer and hirsutism. Flutamide is a nonsteroidal antiandrogen that is used to treat prostate cancer. Lastly, spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic which is primarily used to treat hirsutism, acne, and androgen-induced alopecia.
Antiandrogen therapy is indicated for a variety of conditions. In men, it is used to treat prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and hirsutism. In women, it is used to treat hirsutism and acne caused by androgen excess. In addition, it has been used to treat androgen-induced alopecia in both men and women.
Antiandrogen therapy can cause a variety of side effects. Common side effects include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, headache, and breast tenderness. In addition, it can cause sexual dysfunction, gynecomastia, and liver toxicity. It is also important to note that antiandrogen therapy can cause infertility in men and women.
In conclusion, antiandrogen therapy is a form of hormone therapy used to reduce the production or action of androgens in the body. It is used to treat a variety of medical conditions, such as prostate cancer, hirsutism, and acne. The primary types of antiandrogens used in clinical practice include cyproterone acetate (CPA), flutamide, and spironolactone. However, it can also cause a variety of side effects, including fatigue, nausea, vomiting, headache, breast tenderness, sexual dysfunction, gynecomastia, and liver toxicity.
References
Berger, J. R., & Miezak, K. (2014). Antiandrogen therapy for hirsutism. Journal of Women’s Health, 23(8), 672–678. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2013.4822
Kim, Y. D., & Park, S. J. (2016). Antiandrogen therapy in androgen-related disorders. The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine, 31(3), 409–419. https://doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2016.31.3.409
Rassekh, S. R., & Razavi, M. (2016). Antiandrogen therapy for hirsutism: A review of efficacy and safety. International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, 2(2), 95–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijwd.2016.03.001
Smith, J. A. (2012). Antiandrogens for the treatment of prostate cancer: Mechanisms of action and clinical implications. Cancer Treatment Reviews, 38(2), 126–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctrv.2011.08.005