Healthcare professionals used it with other medications to treat women with PCOS. CyproteroneĬyproterone was one of the first anti-androgens. Although there’s little evidence to support its use, some doctors also prescribe it for female pattern baldness. People transitioning may take it to reduce masculine traits. Spironolactone (Aldactone) is a type of anti-androgen that medical professionals used for years to treat hormonal acne and excessive body hair. This prevents androgens from encouraging prostate cancer cell growth. Flutamide binds to the androgen receptors in prostate cancer cells, which blocks androgens from binding to the receptors. Flutamideįlutamide is a type of anti-androgen people use with other medications to treat certain types of prostate cancer.
Here’s a look at some of the most common ones. There are several anti-androgens available, each with slightly different uses. Medical professionals often combine anti-androgens with other treatments, such as surgical or chemical castration. However, anti-androgens don’t stop androgen production. This starves the cancer cells of the androgens they need to grow. Anti-androgens work by blocking androgens from binding to androgen receptors in prostate cancer cells. In its early stages, prostate cancer cells rely on androgens to feed their growth. Lowering androgen levels, or preventing androgens from reaching cancer cells, can help slow down cancer. For menĪndrogens stimulate cancer cell growth in the prostate. Taking anti-androgens with estrogen can help to both suppress masculine traits and promote feminine ones.įor people who identify as nonbinary, taking anti-androgens alone can help reduce masculine physical traits. In addition to triggering the development of feminine physical traits, such as breasts, estrogen also indirectly reduces testosterone levels. They can reduce some characteristically male traits, such as:Īnti-androgens can often be most effective for transgender women when they take the medications with estrogen, the primary female sex hormone. These complications include:įor people in transition, anti-androgens can help block some masculinizing effects of testosterone. Other conditions that cause high levels of androgens in women include:Īnti-androgens can help manage these conditions and prevent complications caused by high androgen levels in women.
Anti-androgens can help reduce these symptoms in women with PCOS. This can cause excess hair growth, acne, and ovulation problems. However, some women may produce more than others.įor example, women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often have higher androgen levels. Many women tend to produce few androgens. Anti-androgens have many uses, from managing prostate cancer to reducing unwanted facial hair.