Hirsutism and the Variable Response of the Pilosebaceous Unit to Androgens

The document reviewed the complex interactions between androgens and the pilosebaceous unit (PSU), which can lead to conditions like hirsutism, acne, seborrhea, and pattern alopecia in women. It explained that the PSU's response to androgens varies, with some women experiencing hirsutism despite having normal androgen levels, a condition termed idiopathic hirsutism. The paper discussed the activation of pro-hormones into potent androgens by sebaceous cells and the inactivation of testosterone by hair follicle metabolism. It also mentioned the role of the dermal papilla and a specific keratin, hHa7, in the hair medulla. However, the document did not establish a clear link between idiopathic hirsutism and androgen action mechanisms. It concluded that a better understanding of the interaction between androgens and hair follicle biology is needed to improve hirsutism treatments. The document appears to be a literature review rather than an empirical study, as it does not mention the number of participants in any research.