A member asked:

How are birth control pills and anti-androgens different in the aspect of lowering male hormones in a pcos woman?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Dr. Victor Beshay answered

Specializes in Fertility Medicine

OCPs & antiandrogens: Birth control pills lower the effect of male hormones in 2 ways. First estrogen in the pill causes and increase in the protein that captures androgens, making them less active. Second Progesterone causes a drop in the hormone that is responsible for the production of androgens. Anti androgens lower the production or act as receptor blockers to androgens, so that your body does not respond to them.

Answered 6/30/2014

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Dr. Dennis Higginbotham answered

Specializes in American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Significant: Ocp's lower the testosterone level by suppressing the ovaries and allowing many of the cysts to resolve (each cyst in pco produces testosterone in addition to estrogen). An anti-androgen such as spironolactone serves to block the testosterone receptors and does not affect the actual level of testosterone.

Answered 9/4/2013

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