How long may it take for anti-androgen therapy to show a decrease in the Ferryman-Gallway index for hirsutism?

Anti-androgen therapy is commonly used to treat hirsutism by reducing androgen levels, which in turn helps decrease hair growth. The Ferryman-Gallwey index is a clinical tool used to assess the degree of hirsutism by scoring hair growth in specific body areas.

Typically, it takes time for the effects of anti-androgen therapy to become apparent due to the hair growth cycle and the time it takes for existing hair to shed and be replaced by finer, less pigmented hair. While some initial changes may be seen within the first couple of months, a more significant decrease in hirsutism, as measured by the Ferryman-Gallwey index, generally emerges around the three-month mark, which aligns with the correct answer. Therapy often needs to be continued for a longer duration to observe maximal effects, so the expectation of a measurable change in the index within this timeframe is based on clinical experience and research findings.

This understanding highlights the importance of patient education regarding the timeframe of expected results when initiating treatment, as well as the need for ongoing assessment and possible adjustment of therapy.