Hi everyone. My name is Sabrina, and though I was diagnosed with PCOS back in 2002, I am a new member to the board. My latest doctor prescribed 100 mg of Spironolactone every day in order to address my problems with thinning hair and acne. I took it for about 2.5 months and noticed a big improvement in my hair thickness and shininess *it was actually looking pretty!* and also in my skin. It's hard to know what causes what because I've had a dramatic life change in the past few months and have successfully lost nearly 30 pounds. I am watching what I eat, choosing healthy foods, and exercising almost every day. So I'm sure all this is having an effect on my hormones as well. Sorry this post is getting so long, but I want to give background to my concern.
Since I'm really cautious about putting meds into my body after a terrible experience with Glucophage (Metformin), I started researching Spironolactone a lot. I found a lot of websites that indicate it causes cancer in rats. Have other people read these studies? I haven't had terrible side effects with it (just lots of trips to the bathroom and a few random causes of nausea, headaches, and whatnot, but that could be anything), but I stopped taking it about a week ago after reading this new info. I noticed my hair looking thinner, though...so I just started taking it again tonight. Now I'm worried that my vanity is getting in the way of logic, and I want to know what everyone thinks.
If something causes cancer in rats, isn't it a very real possibility that it will cause cancer in humans down the line? Has anyone read any long-term studies about the effects of Spironolactone in humans?
This study concludes no adverse effects in humans via a questionnaire answered by 91 people who took the drug on average 28 months. The survey follow-up was 8 years later. http://www.springerlink.com/content/9x6l1tahvklaqbgh/
Concerns about Spironolactone 
Ive been on spiro about 7 years now. I do get blood tests done every few months.
