[The influence of spironolactone on the concentration of gonadotrophins and gonadal hormones in prostatic hypertrophy (author's transl)].

The authors examined the influence of spironolactone on the concentration of testosterone, 5 alpha - dihydrotestosterone (DHT), progesterone, oestradiol (E2), LH, and FSH in 47 patients with prostatic hypertrophy, aged from 60 to 80 years. The control group consisted of 58 men of the same age. Spironolactone was prescribed at a dose of 100 mg per day for three months. There was a considerable fall in the concentration of testosterone and of DHT and, at the same time, an increase in the concentration of progesterone, E2 and LH. After treatment with spironolactone there was a decrease in the size of the prostate gland. Results obtained show that spironolactone is an effective drug in the treatment of prostatic hypertrophy, since it inhibits androgen metabolism.