PCOS Message Board - View Single Post - Testosterone Level Normal But Still Dealing W/ Hair Growth/Loss? This Could Be Why --

Hezzer · 06-25-2003, 12:19 PM

Hi Dawna. To answer your question . . .

Spironolactone or "Spiro" is the generic version of Aldactone. It is actually a blood pressure medication with some diuretic properties but it is also prescribed for women with high testosterone because it helps to lower the level.

It is also a potassium sparing medication, which means it causes potassium to build up in your body instead of being excreted. Too much potassium in your system can be fatal. For that reason, women taking it are usually encouraged to have their potassium levels checks every few months to make sure that they're okay (depending on their dosage). They're also told to avoid potassium rich food (bananas, melons, grapefruit, oranges, tomato or prune juice, prunes, molasses, potatoes, avocados, nuts, baked beans, brussels sprouts, and skim milk).

From what I understand, similar to metformin, it is also metabolized in your liver so women are encouraged to have their liver enzymes checked ever few months as well to determine if there is any liver damage.

Spiro tends to mess with your period so it's often taken with bcp's to keep you regular. I had spotting and breakthrough bleeding for the first couple of months, not to mention I was exhausted and dizzy all the time and my breasts ached. It took a while for my body to adjust. Now I'm fine. Because it is a diuretic, I found that I had to take it only as certain times during the day otherwise I was up too many times in the night to go to the bathroom.

Because spiro affects testosterone, it's been found to cause birth defects in male fetuses, so one can't be pregnant while taking it or possibly become pregnant. Many doctors insist that you take bcp's to reduce the possibility of pregnancy.

I was taking 200 mg at one point but I'm again down to 100 mg daily. Sometimes, though, on the days when I feel really bloated, I'll take 100 mg in the morning and 100 mg before bed to help rid some of the water retention.

The most noteworthy improvement is my chest and belly hair. Course black hairs that were starting to grow in on my chest are now blonde and finer and the thick dark hair line that ran from my upper tummy right down to the groin area has thinned out immensely and is lighter.

Changes are supposed to be noticed after 3 months and fully at 6 months. I can't say I've noticed the facial hair improving, though, and I've been on it for 7 months.

Admittedly, though I have not gotten worse

so maybe it's effective after all. Right now the hair is confined to my "underchin" area which I shave in less than a minute about once a week. If I started to grow a beard I would freak out!!

My shedding of hair on my head has decreased considerably but that could also be due to the array of vitamins I'm taking which I started on around the same time as spiro. Most women admit that no improvement from spiro was seen with the head hair.

Kat took eulexin which I would like to try. Honestly, the doctors in my area are so conservative, I don't think I would find anyone to prescribe it for me because of the more serious risks.

Quote:

Originally posted by Kat Carney
The eulexin worked beautifully for me in stopping the hair loss and the excess hair growth. That said, I was also losing weight at the time, so the weight loss also helped with my androgen levels, too. I can't say that I 'recommend' eulexin - it's a VERY strong drug, so you should certainly talk with your doctor, and s/he should have a good medical history on you before rx'ing it. Plus you can't be ttc, or have ANY liver issues.