[2][3] SAAs lower concentrations of testosterone through simulation of the negative feedback inhibition of the hypothalamus.

[4] SAAs are used in the treatment of androgen-dependent conditions in men and women, and are also used in veterinary medicine for the same purpose.

[2][3] SAAs are used in clinical medicine for the following indications:[2] Unlike NSAAs, most SAAs show off-target hormonal activity such as progestogenic, glucocorticoid, or antimineralocorticoid activity, possess antigonadotropic effects, and are weak partial agonists of the AR with some capacity to activate the receptor.

[2] Due to their antigonadotropic effects, SAAs lower androgen levels in addition to directly blocking the actions of androgens at the AR; at sufficiently high dosages, they are able to lower circulating testosterone levels by up to 70 to 80% in men, to just above the castrate range.

[8][9][10] However, due to their other hormonal effects, suppression of estrogen levels alongside testosterone levels, and AR activation, SAAs have increased side effects and show lower efficacy in the treatment of prostate cancer relative to NSAAs.