The Management of Hirsutism

May 2019 in “ InnovAiT ”

Michael Hardway, Kinza Younas

hirsutism oral contraceptives drospirenone ethinyl estradiol polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS birth control pills

Studysummary This article discusses the physiology of hair growth, how to identify excessive hair growth in women, and when to refer them for further medical assessment, but reports no new clinical results.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The article discussed the normal physiology of hair growth, defined excessive hair growth in women, and outlined when it was necessary to refer patients for urgent secondary care. It aimed to provide general practitioners with guidelines for managing hirsutism, including the use of oral contraceptives containing drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, and emphasized the importance of understanding the underlying causes, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The article also reviewed various treatment options and the need for a thorough evaluation to tailor appropriate management strategies for affected women.

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Research cited in this study

7 / 7 results

research The Human Hair: From Anatomy to Physiology

107 citations , December 2013 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This review summarizes the anatomical and physiological aspects of human hair and its clinical significance, but does not report new research findings.

research Therapy of Endocrine Disease: Treatment of Hirsutism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

40 citations , November 2013 in “European journal of endocrinology”

This paper reviews the treatment options for hirsutism and emphasizes the importance of diagnosing its underlying cause and considering patient perception and specific phenotypes, reporting no new clinical results.

research Hirsutism: From Diagnosis to Use of Antiandrogens

9 citations , October 2012 in “Frontiers of Hormone Research”

This review discusses the causes and treatments of hirsutism, emphasizing identifying potentially life-threatening pathologies, but it reports no new clinical results.

research The Investigation and Management of Hirsutism

26 citations , July 2012 in “Journal of family planning and reproductive health care”

This review explores treatment approaches for excess male-pattern body hair in women and emphasizes the importance of effective management, but reports no new clinical findings.

Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Hirsutism: A Consensus Statement by the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society

research Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Hirsutism: A Consensus Statement by the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society

378 citations , November 2011 in “Human reproduction update”

This review discusses the epidemiology, causes, diagnosis, and management of hirsutism in women, noting that effective treatment requires addressing the root cause as well as the hair growth.

research What Every Physician Should Know About Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

33 citations , September 2008 in “Dermatologic therapy”

This review describes the clinical evaluation and management options for women with polycystic ovary syndrome, focusing on its endocrine and metabolic implications, but reports no new results.

research Evaluation and Treatment of Hirsutism in Premenopausal Women: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline

502 citations , February 2008 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

This review discusses hirsutism management guidelines, recommending androgen testing only for women with abnormal hirsutism scores and advocating for combined therapy approaches depending on severity and underlying conditions, but it reports no new clinical results.