Hirsutism and Hypertrichosis

    January 2023
    Clio Dessinioti, Andreas Katsambas
    TLDR Hirsutism in women is mostly due to PCOS and can be managed with oral contraceptives and hair removal methods.
    Hirsutism in women is often linked to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), accounting for 75% to 80% of cases, while idiopathic hirsutism makes up 15% to 20%. Less than 5% of cases are due to rare conditions like congenital adrenal hyperplasia or Cushing syndrome. Treatment should focus on addressing hormonal imbalances and reducing excessive hair growth. Oral contraceptives are effective for managing hirsutism in PCOS, whereas metformin and lifestyle changes are not. Eflornithine hydrochloride 13.9% cream is approved for facial hirsutism. For idiopathic cases and those causing distress, hair removal methods such as laser or IPL are recommended. A multi-disciplinary approach involving endocrinologists and gynecologists is advised for cases with underlying endocrine disorders.
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