TLDR Women with androgen excess, especially those with PCOS, have a much higher risk of heart disease and stroke.
The document from 2014 reviews the link between androgen excess (AE) and cardiovascular risk in women, particularly focusing on conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), idiopathic hirsutism (IH), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), HAIRAN syndrome, and androgen-secreting neoplasms (ASNs). It finds that AE, especially in PCOS, is associated with a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), with PCOS patients having a 5-7 times higher risk for CVD and more than a 2-fold higher risk for coronary heart disease and stroke. The review also notes that while antiandrogenic therapies can have positive effects on lipid levels and endothelial function, oral contraceptives containing antiandrogenic progestins may increase cardiovascular and thromboembolic risks. The document calls for more research to better understand the cardiovascular risks and effects of treatments in women with AE, given the limited data on cardiovascular outcomes in postmenopausal women with a hyperandrogenic history and those with IH, HAIRAN syndrome, or ASNs.
150 citations,
October 2012 in “Clinical Endocrinology” Women with PCOS have a higher risk of diabetes and heart problems, especially when they get older.
17 citations,
May 2012 in “Clinical Endocrinology” Surgery to lower high testosterone in postmenopausal women with certain ovarian tumors doesn't significantly affect their metabolism.
70 citations,
February 2012 in “Human Reproduction” Many young women who donate blood have hormonal disorders like excess male hormones and PCOS.
39 citations,
May 2011 in “European Journal of Clinical Investigation” Hirsutism can be caused by various conditions besides PCOS, and it's important to treat the underlying issue and manage symptoms with medication and cosmetic approaches.
60 citations,
May 2011 in “Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America” Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is linked to higher risk of hypertension and heart disease.
50 citations,
March 2011 in “European Journal of Endocrinology” Spironolactone improved blood vessel function and cholesterol levels in non-obese women with PCOS.
815 citations,
April 2010 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” Women with PCOS should be screened for heart disease risk and manage their health to prevent it.
352 citations,
January 2006 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Most women referred for excess male hormone symptoms had polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), with other conditions being less common.
947 citations,
February 2004 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Most women with excess male hormones have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and hormonal therapy can improve symptoms but may cause side effects.
491 citations,
July 2000 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Polycystic ovary syndrome is found in 6.5% of unselected Caucasian women in Spain.
1 citations,
August 2013 in “Springer eBooks” Birth control pills and anti-androgen medications help manage hair growth, acne, and hair loss in women with PCOS.
3 citations,
January 2012 in “Hanyang Medical Reviews” The document concludes that more research is needed to create suitable diagnostic criteria and understand PCOS in Korean women, and genetics may allow for personalized treatment.
10 citations,
November 2010 in “Skin therapy letter” Women with PCOS often have acne because of high androgen levels, and the article reviewed how to treat this type of acne.
