Disorders of the Pilosebaceous Unit: Hirsutism and Androgenic Alopecia

April 2005 in “ CRC Press eBooks ”

hirsutism androgenic alopecia polycystic ovary syndrome PSU androgen excess hair follicles sebaceous glands PCOS

TLDR Excessive androgens in women with polycystic ovary syndrome can lead to excessive hair growth and hair loss, but this might not fully explain these conditions.

The document from 18 years ago discussed the disorders of the pilosebaceous unit (PSU), specifically focusing on hirsutism and androgenic alopecia in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The PSU, a skin structure that produces hair follicles and sebaceous glands, was identified as the origin of these disorders. The document noted that androgen excess in these women most commonly led to hirsutism, a condition of excessive hair growth. However, it suggested that this explanation might be too simplistic to fully explain the pathological states of the PSU, such as hirsutism and androgenic alopecia.

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