Potassium levels in women with POS using spironolactone for long-term

Posted July 19, 2024.

A group of researchers in INCT Hormona of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) conducted a study to evaluate the incidence of hyperkalemia – excess of potassium electrolytes in patient’s blood circulation – in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (POS), using spironolactone in the long term. The article “Potassium levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome using spironolactone for long-term” may be read at the link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38127445/

According to the endocrinologist and INCT Hormona researcher, Dr. Lucas Bandeira Marchesan, the survey is of great importance to women’s health, since spironolactone is often used in POS for the treatment of manifestations of male hormone excess (hyperandrogenism), such as increased body hair growth, hair loss, and acne. However, it is feared that its use may be associated with increased blood potassium level. “With this study, it was found that use of spironolactone have low risk for hyperkalemia, when used in young women without kidney or heart diseases, which is the case of most women with the Syndrome”, he explained.

The specialist explains that low or high potassium levels can be detrimental to health, because they may cause problems such as cardiac arrhythmia, among other symptoms. “In women with POS, the use of spironolactone is more frequent compared to women without POS, although it can be used for other indications, such as treatment of arterial hypertension or heart diseases”, he comments.

The study was conducted with inclusion and analysis of 98 treatment periods in 78 women who received the hormone for a minimum of 12 months and had at least three measurements of potassium levels over time. The article concluded that risk for increased potassium levels, either moderate or severe, is low in women with POS who received usual doses of spironolactone, provided that they do not have kidney or heart problems and do not use other drugs that increase this risk. “Therefore, the recommendation for frequent monitoring potassium levels while using this drug may not be necessary in this specific group of patients,” concludes the specialist.