Antiandrogens

Other names: androgen antagonists, androgen receptor blockers, testosterone blockers

What are Antiandrogens?

Antiandrogens are the name given to a diverse group of medicines that counteract the effects of the male sex hormones, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Male sex hormones are also known as androgens; antiandrogens may also be called androgen receptor blockers.

Some antiandrogens work by lowering the body’s production of androgens while others block androgen receptors, limiting the body’s ability to make use of the androgens produced.

Antiandrogens are used in the treatment of various conditions and disorders including prostate cancer, precocious puberty in young males, benign prostatic hyperplasia, androgenic alopecia (male-pattern hair loss) and sexual disorders, such as hyper-sexuality, in men.

In women, antiandrogens may be used to treat polycystic ovary syndrome, hirsutism (excessive facial or body hair), amenorrhea (absence of menstrual periods), acne, and several other conditions.

Natural antiandrogens are used mostly to either decrease testosterone synthesis (white peony, licorice, and spearmint) or reduce DHT level by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase (red reishi, saw palmetto, and Camellia sinensis). Table 1 lists some of the most widely used natural antiandrogens and their medical uses.