Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol metab. 2006 Jun;20(2):167-76.
Endocrinology and metabolism Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, 06100 Hacettepe, Ankara, Turkey. yildizbo@yahoo.com
Hyperandrogenism or androgen excess is a common endocrine disorder of women of reproductive-age, with a prevalence of 5-10%. The majority of patients with hyperandrogenism will have polycystic ovary syndrome. Hyperandrogenism presents a complex diagnostic challenge for both the practicing physician and the clinical investigator. Clinical manifestations of hyperandrogenism include hirsutism, acne, androgenic alopecia, and virilization. Hirsutism, defined as excessive growth of terminal hair in women in a male-like pattern, is the most commonly used clinical diagnostic criterion of hyperandrogenism. The presence of hirsutism is usually determined by using a standardized scoring system of hair growth. Depending on the definition, hirsutism is present in up to 80% of patients with hyperandrogenism. Acne and androgenic alopecia are other common androgenic skin changes, and might be observed without hirsutism in some hyperandrogenic women. However, isolated presence of any of these manifestations is not used as a diagnostic criterion for hyperandrogenism. Virilization is a relatively uncommon feature of hyperandrogenism, and its presence often suggests an androgen-producing tumor. A thorough history and a focused clinical examination are extremely helpful in diagnostic evaluation of patients with suspected hyperandrogenism.
Please click on the required question.
- 1 What is hirsutism?
- 2 What is virilism?
- 3 What makes a hair?
- 4 I think that I have an excess of body hair. Is this a common complaint?
- 5 How can the severity of hirsutism be evaluated?
- 6 What are the effects of increased androgen levels on the skin and hair?
- 7 What are the effects of increased androgen levels in women?
- 8 What are the sources of androgen dependent hirsutism?
- 9 How can the cause of my hirsutism or virilism be determined?
- 10 Is it always possible to determine the cause of hirsutism?
- 11 What cosmetic treatments are available to treat my hirsutism?
- 12 If I lose weight, would my hirsutism improve?
- 13 What medical treatments are available for my hirsutism?
- 14 How could a combined oral contraceptive pill reduce my hirsutism.
- 15 What is cyproterone acetate?
- 16 What surgical treatments are available for my hirsutism and virilism?
- 17 Support Groups.
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