Female HirsutismCaused by Polycystic Ovarian SyndromeFemale hirsutism must be treated by medical therapy to decrease androgen activity in the follicle that was caused by diseases of androgen excess or by taking exogenous medications. What is female hirsutism? When women grow excessive terminal hair on body areas where most men have hair, but women normally don't. What causes this? It is caused by male hormones, also known as androgens or testosterone. Why does it happen? It happens when a woman has a hormonal imbalance. When does this happen? During puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Actually any time during a woman's life when there may be an increase in androgens. Where does the hair grow? It is called "adult male sexual pattern" hair growth. The graphic left indicates the target areas of a woman's body for androgen-stimulated hair growth. The symptoms can be mild to severe, all depending on how highly elevated male hormone levels are. When it is associated with recession of the hairline, deepening of the voice and loss of the female body shape, it is called virilism. In simple language this means the woman is beginning to resemble (look like) a man. Because it is such a devastating condition to suffer from, a sufferer should preferably go for tests and a thorough medical examination. Are these women hermaphrodites?Most definitely not. Hermaphrodites have both genders' sexual organs. The chromosomes indicate whether the sufferer's gender is either male or female.These women are sick. One of the signs of their illness is excess hair on specific areas of the body. Very rare cases of severe masculinization can be found in pseudo-hermaphrodites with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Do a drug history checkIt is very important that a careful drug history must be taken by the doctor. Something as simple as a change in drug regimes my be all that is necessary to reverse unwanted new-onset hair growth.Medical intervention attempts to decrease androgen activity in the follicle. It is very important to treat any underlying medical cause of female hirsutism. This may be accomplished by:
Available treatmentsThe following medications are used in the treatment of this disease:Oral contraceptive pills decrease androgen availability to the skin primarily by suppressing ovarian androgen secretion. Steroids such as dexamethasone or prednisone may be prescribed to suppress adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion and adrenal androgen production. This method is less effective than oral contraceptives. Anti-androgens like spironolactone and flutamide are androgen receptor antagonists that block androgen effects inside follicles. Reductase inhibitors (eg finasteride) will diminish intra-follicular synthesis of DHT. |
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