Society for Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation of Androgen Excess in Women

May 2025 in “ Clinical Endocrinology ”

Yasir Elhassan, James Hawley, Leanne Cussen, Ali Abbara, Sophie Clarke, Punith Kempegowda, Rima Dhillon‐Smith, Puja Thadani, Maureen Busby, Lucy Owusu‐Darkwah, Rachel Marrington, W. Colin Duncan, Robert K. Semple, Richard Quinton, Michael O’Reilly

androgen excess hirsutism acne alopecia polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS adrenal hyperplasia androgen-secreting tumors androgen levels pharmacological interventions hair loss male hormones cystic ovaries

Studysummary Evaluate and manage androgen excess in women with a systematic approach, considering both physical and psychological impacts.

Automatically generated from the study's abstract, not written by a person, and not a review of the full paper. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Read the original study, and consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

26 / 26 results

Recommendations From The 2023 International Evidence-Based Guideline For The Assessment And Management Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

research Recommendations From The 2023 International Evidence-Based Guideline For The Assessment And Management Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

8 citations , August 2023 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study provided updated international guidelines for assessing and managing polycystic ovary syndrome, emphasizing evidence-based recommendations and acknowledging the low to moderate quality of existing evidence.

research Approach to Investigation of Hyperandrogenism in a Postmenopausal Woman

November 2022 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This review discusses the causes and recommended clinical investigations for postmenopausal hyperandrogenism, highlighting the role of androgen excess in symptoms like hirsutism and its association with metabolic disorders.

research Approach to Androgen Excess in Women: Clinical and Biochemical Insights

14 citations , March 2022 in “Clinical Endocrinology”

This review outlines a diagnostic approach for identifying non-PCOS pathology in women with androgen excess, emphasizing the importance of clinical history and biochemical phenotyping but reports no new clinical results.

research Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: Current Insights in Pathophysiology, Diagnostics, and Management

157 citations , May 2021 in “Endocrine Reviews”

This review discusses recent advancements in understanding and managing congenital adrenal hyperplasia, including improvements in screening, diagnostics, and potential genetic and cell-based treatments, but reports no new clinical findings.

Hyperandrogenism, Elevated 17-Hydroxyprogesterone and Its Urinary Metabolites in a Young Woman with Ovarian Steroid Cell Tumor, Not Otherwise Specified: Case Report and Review of the Literature

research Hyperandrogenism, Elevated 17-Hydroxyprogesterone and Its Urinary Metabolites in a Young Woman with Ovarian Steroid Cell Tumor, Not Otherwise Specified: Case Report and Review of the Literature

7 citations , October 2019 in “Case reports in endocrinology”

This case report describes a woman with hyperandrogenism and menstrual disturbances, where an ovarian steroid cell tumor was identified and removed, leading to resolution of symptoms.

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and NC-CAH: Distinct Characteristics and Common Findings. A Systematic Review

32 citations , June 2019 in “Frontiers in Endocrinology”

This review discusses the overlapping clinical features and diagnostic challenges of non-classic adrenal hyperplasia and polycystic ovary syndrome without presenting original research findings.

research Persistent Poor Metabolic Profile in Postmenopausal Women With Ovarian Hyperandrogenism After Testosterone Level Normalization

8 citations , April 2019 in “Journal of the Endocrine Society”

In this study, long-term normalization of testosterone levels in postmenopausal women with hyperandrogenism did not improve body mass index, glucose, or lipid metabolism.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Androgen Excess, and the Risk of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Women: A Longitudinal Study Based on a United Kingdom Primary Care Database

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Androgen Excess, and the Risk of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Women: A Longitudinal Study Based on a United Kingdom Primary Care Database

114 citations , March 2018 in “PLOS Medicine”

This study found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome have higher rates of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, with androgen excess contributing to the risk.

Ethnicity, Obesity, and the Prevalence of Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Type 2 Diabetes in PCOS: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression

research Ethnicity, Obesity, and the Prevalence of Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Type 2 Diabetes in PCOS: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression

189 citations , March 2018 in “Human Reproduction Update”

This study reported that women with polycystic ovary syndrome had a higher prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes, with variations influenced by ethnicity and obesity.

research Clinical Case Seminar: Postmenopausal Androgen Excess - Challenges in Diagnostic Work-Up and Management of Ovarian Thecosis

20 citations , October 2017 in “Clinical Endocrinology”

This article reviews existing knowledge on postmenopausal hyperandrogenism and highlights diagnostic challenges, reporting no new clinical results.

Discriminating Between Virilizing Ovary Tumors and Ovary Hyperthecosis in Postmenopausal Women: Clinical Data, Hormonal Profiles, and Imaging Studies

research Discriminating Between Virilizing Ovary Tumors and Ovary Hyperthecosis in Postmenopausal Women: Clinical Data, Hormonal Profiles, and Imaging Studies

27 citations , April 2017 in “European journal of endocrinology”

This retrospective study found that serum hormone levels and MRI detection of ovarian nodules contributed to distinguishing virilizing ovarian tumors from ovarian stromal hyperthecosis in postmenopausal women, though histopathology remains crucial for diagnosis.

research Is Acne a Sign of Androgen Excess Disorder or Not?

21 citations , January 2017 in “European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology”

This study suggests that acne is often associated with hyperandrogenemia in women, contradicting previous recommendations that acne is not linked to androgen excess disorders.

research A Guide to Understanding Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

40 citations , March 2014 in “Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care”

This review discusses a strategy using ovarian biology to better understand and manage polycystic ovary syndrome but reports no new research findings.

Androgen Profiling by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry in Healthy Normal-Weight Ovulatory and Anovulatory Late Adolescent and Young Women

research Androgen Profiling by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry in Healthy Normal-Weight Ovulatory and Anovulatory Late Adolescent and Young Women

52 citations , June 2013 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study defined menstrual phase-specific reference intervals for circulating androgen levels in young women, highlighting that anovulatory females showed higher androgen, LH, and FSH levels compared to ovulatory females.

research Differential Diagnosis of Hyperandrogenism in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

35 citations , March 2012 in “Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes”

This article discusses various causes of hyperandrogenism in women and highlights diagnostic considerations for conditions such as PCOS, NCCAH, Cushing's disease, and androgen-secreting tumors, without reporting new clinical results.

Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Hirsutism: A Consensus Statement by the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society

research Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Hirsutism: A Consensus Statement by the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society

378 citations , November 2011 in “Human reproduction update”

This review discusses the epidemiology, causes, diagnosis, and management of hirsutism in women, noting that effective treatment requires addressing the root cause as well as the hair growth.

research Female Pattern Hair Loss: Current Treatment Concepts

50 citations , January 2007 in “PubMed”

This review discusses female pattern hair loss, highlighting that while oral antiandrogens and topical minoxidil can arrest progression, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial, and stresses the need for ongoing therapy.

research Prevalence of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss in Maryborough

193 citations , August 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

This study found that the prevalence of androgenetic alopecia increases with age among both men and women in Maryborough, Australia, with 57% of women and 73.5% of men aged 80 and over affected.

research Evaluation and Treatment of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss

203 citations , December 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reviews the historical developments in understanding and treating male pattern hair loss, emphasizing the role of dihydrotestosterone and 5α-reductase inhibitors, but reports no new clinical findings.

research Revised 2003 Consensus on Diagnostic Criteria and Long-Term Health Risks Related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

4025 citations , December 2003 in “Human Reproduction”

This review discusses the evolution of diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome and emphasizes its association with various metabolic and cardiovascular risks, but it provides no new research findings.

research Menstrual Irregularity in Women with Acromegaly

66 citations , August 1999 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

This study found that menstrual irregularity is common in women with acromegaly, with high GH levels, estrogen deficiency, and larger tumors correlating with more severe irregularity.

research The Midline Part: An Important Physical Clue to the Clinical Diagnosis of Androgenetic Alopecia in Women

90 citations , January 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This article highlights a specific, yet largely unrecognized, sign that aids in diagnosing androgenetic alopecia in women, emphasizing its practical application in clinical settings.

A Prospective Study of the Prevalence of Clear-Cut Endocrine Disorders and Polycystic Ovaries in 350 Patients Presenting with Hirsutism or Androgenic Alopecia

research A Prospective Study of the Prevalence of Clear-Cut Endocrine Disorders and Polycystic Ovaries in 350 Patients Presenting with Hirsutism or Androgenic Alopecia

135 citations , August 1994 in “Clinical Endocrinology”

In this study of women with hirsutism or androgenic alopecia, diverse underlying endocrine disorders including polycystic ovaries and various enzyme deficiencies were detected, often associated with elevated testosterone levels.

research Differential Suppression of Testosterone and Estradiol in Hirsute Women With the Superactive Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Leuprolide

49 citations , October 1988 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

This study found that low doses of leuprolide effectively suppressed serum estradiol and LH response, while higher doses were needed to suppress testosterone and reduce hair growth in hirsute women.

research Clinical and Hormonal Effects of Chronic Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Treatment in Polycystic Ovarian Disease

96 citations , October 1987 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

This study found that long-term GnRH agonist administration in premenopausal women with polycystic ovarian disease resulted in persistent suppression of ovarian steroid secretion, while adrenal steroid levels remained unchanged.

research Classification of the Types of Androgenetic Alopecia (Common Baldness) Occurring in the Female Sex

666 citations , September 1977 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This article presents a classification system for stages of female-pattern androgenetic alopecia to aid early diagnosis and mentions existing systems for rare male-pattern cases, but reports no new clinical results.