Androgens and Women's Health

The 1998 review discussed androgenic disorders in women, which are conditions characterized by excessive androgen action and affect 10% to 20% of women. These disorders present signs such as persistent acne, hirsutism, and androgenic alopecia, the female equivalent of male pattern baldness. A subgroup with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) also experiences anovulation, menstrual abnormalities, and often obesity. Women with PCOS have varying degrees of insulin resistance, an increased incidence of Type II diabetes mellitus, and unfavorable lipid patterns. Diagnosis involves measuring circulating androgens, with free testosterone being most important, along with prolactin and FSH when menstrual dysfunction is present. Treatment, often successful in controlling acne, reducing hirsutism, and stabilizing or partially reversing androgenic alopecia, involves suppressing androgen levels or antagonizing androgen action with medication.