Hirsutism
July 2012
in “
Obstetrics, gynaecology and reproductive medicine
”
TLDR Hirsutism in women often indicates health issues like polycystic ovarian syndrome and is treated with lifestyle changes, medication, and cosmetic measures.
The article from August 2012 discusses hirsutism, a condition that can be highly distressing for women and may indicate serious underlying health issues. It emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to diagnosis, including a detailed history, physical examination, and investigations to understand the physiology of hair growth and identify the cause of hirsutism. The most frequent cause mentioned is polycystic ovarian syndrome, but other androgen metabolism disorders are also considered. Treatment strategies involve addressing the root cause, lifestyle changes like weight loss, and cosmetic measures for existing hair. Pharmacological treatments, such as the combined oral contraceptive pill, are commonly used to prevent new hair growth, with anti-androgens and GnRH agonists being options for severe or treatment-resistant cases.