Case 33-2015

October 2015 in “ The New England Journal of Medicine ”

Graham T. McMahon, Jennifer A. Bennett

hyperandrogenism hirsutism scalp hair loss ovarian hyperthecosis testosterone transvaginal ultrasonography endometrial biopsy robot-assisted laparoscopic total hysterectomy bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy alopecia dermatologist postmenopausal hyperandrogenism hair loss hair growth hysterectomy ovary removal

TLDR The woman's surgery lowered her testosterone and improved scalp hair loss but did not change her excessive body hair.

The document detailed the case of a 57-year-old woman with symptoms of hyperandrogenism, including hirsutism, scalp hair loss, and a deepening voice, leading to a diagnosis of ovarian hyperthecosis. Elevated testosterone levels were noted, but imaging showed no tumors. Transvaginal ultrasonography and an endometrial biopsy supported the diagnosis, which was confirmed after a robot-assisted laparoscopic total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Post-surgery, the patient's testosterone levels decreased, and her alopecia mildly improved, but her hirsutism did not change. She was referred to a dermatologist for further symptom management. The document highlights that hirsutism typically does not revert after treatment for postmenopausal hyperandrogenism, but scalp hair growth usually recovers, and a more feminine body habitus is restored.

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3 / 3 results

research Management of Endocrine Disease: Hyperandrogenism After Menopause

84 citations , February 2015 in “European journal of endocrinology”

Doctors should check for serious tumor causes of high androgen levels in postmenopausal women and more research is needed on this condition.

research Ovarian Leydig Cell Tumor in a Post-Menopausal Patient with Severe Hyperandrogenism

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An 81-year-old woman's severe male hormone symptoms were caused by an ovarian tumor, which was treated with surgery.

research Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Treatment in Postmenopausal Women with Hyperandrogenism of Ovarian Origin

36 citations , May 2011 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

Treatment with a hormone agonist can reduce excess male hormones in postmenopausal women without surgery.

5 / 5 results

research The Changing Patterns of Hair Density and Thickness in South Korean Women with Hair Loss: Clinical Office-Based Phototrichogram Analysis

41 citations , December 2008 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

South Korean women with hair loss have lower hair density and thickness compared to healthy women.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Hair Density Study in Women Without Androgenetic Alopecia

October 1990 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Hair loss and growth can be accurately measured using computer-assisted counting.

Case 33-2015

Cited in this study

research Management of Endocrine Disease: Hyperandrogenism After Menopause

research Ovarian Leydig Cell Tumor in a Post-Menopausal Patient with Severe Hyperandrogenism

research Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Treatment in Postmenopausal Women with Hyperandrogenism of Ovarian Origin

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