TLDR In PCOS, high male hormones cause hair growth, acne, and hair loss, affecting periods.
In women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hyperandrogenism was clinically manifested by hirsutism, acne, and androgenic alopecia, contributing to chronic anovulation and menstrual dysfunction. Biochemically, it was characterized by elevated levels of serum total or unbound testosterone, androstenedione, and an increased free androgen index (FAI). Prospective studies indicated that hyperandrogenism affected about 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, although prevalence could increase up to 30% due to racial differences or patient selection criteria.
352 citations
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January 2006 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Most women referred for excess male hormone symptoms had polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), with other conditions being less common.
12 citations
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May 2005 in “Current obstetrics and gynaecology/Current obstetrics & gynaecology” Hirsutism is too much hair growth in women like the pattern in men, often caused by high male hormones, and can be treated with hormone control and hair removal methods.
131 citations
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August 2004 in “Best Practice & Research in Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology” The conclusion is that PCOS is caused by ovarian sensitivity to hormones and disrupted hormone control, possibly due to ovarian factors, and more research is needed.
84 citations
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November 2003 in “European journal of endocrinology” Women with androgenic alopecia are more likely to have polycystic ovaries and higher androgen levels, which may indicate PCOS.
63 citations
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January 1999 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” Polycystic ovaries and early male baldness are inherited traits.
633 citations
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September 1998 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” PCOS affects a similar percentage of Black and White women in the Southeastern United States.
378 citations
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September 1998 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” PCOS affects about 4% of women in the southeastern U.S. equally across Black and White populations.
1 citations
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August 2013 in “Springer eBooks” Birth control pills and anti-androgen medications help manage hair growth, acne, and hair loss in women with PCOS.
70 citations
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February 2012 in “Human Reproduction” Many young women who donate blood have hormonal disorders like excess male hormones and PCOS.
3 citations
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January 2012 in “Hanyang Medical Reviews” The document concludes that more research is needed to create suitable diagnostic criteria and understand PCOS in Korean women, and genetics may allow for personalized treatment.
10 citations
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January 2011 in “Skin therapy letter” Women with PCOS often have acne because of high androgen levels, and the article reviewed how to treat this type of acne.
