Hyperandrogenism After Menopause
January 2013
in “
Revista Clínica Española
”
hyperandrogenism hirsutism frontal alopecia testosterone free testosterone dexamethasone GnRH analog androgens LH-dependent bilateral oophorectomy ovarian stromal hyperplasia ovarian hyperthecosis endometrial complications metabolic disorders hair loss androgenic alopecia GnRH analogs ovary removal ovarian tissue overgrowth
TLDR A postmenopausal woman's increased male hormone levels were successfully treated with surgery.
The document reported on a 65-year-old postmenopausal woman with hyperandrogenism, evidenced by hirsutism and frontal alopecia. Hormonal analysis showed elevated testosterone and free testosterone levels, suggesting an ovarian source. After ruling out ovarian cancer, treatment with dexamethasone and a GnRH analog indicated that the hypersecretion of androgens was LH-dependent. A bilateral oophorectomy was performed, revealing ovarian stromal hyperplasia, and resulted in normalized androgen levels and improvement in alopecia and hirsutism. The case emphasized that even slight increases in androgen levels in postmenopausal women are pathological and that surgical treatment is important for benign conditions like ovarian hyperthecosis or stromal hyperplasia due to the associated risks of endometrial complications and metabolic disorders.
