Approach to the Patient: Hirsutism

    April 2025 in “ The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ”
    Ricardo Azziz, Mina Amiri, Fernando Bril, Anju E. Joham, Fahrettin Kelestimur, Sasha Ottey, Л. В. Сутурина, Chau Thien Tay, Helena Teede, Bülent Okan Yıldız, Xiaomiao Zhao
    TLDR Hirsutism affects many women and is managed with a combination of medical treatments and hair removal, tailored to individual needs.
    Hirsutism affects about 10% of women worldwide, significantly impacting their quality of life and finances. It is characterized by male-pattern hair growth due to factors like circulating androgens and various enzymes. The modified Ferriman Gallwey (mFG) scale is used to assess hirsutism, with scores above 4-6 indicating its presence, though this can vary by ethnicity. Hirsutism is often linked to polycystic ovary syndrome (80-90% of cases), idiopathic causes (5-10%), and non-classic adrenal hyperplasia (1-10%). Less common causes include androgen-secreting tumors and other medical conditions. Treatment depends on symptom severity, reproductive goals, and underlying causes, with options including medical therapies and hair removal methods. Effective management typically combines these approaches, emphasizing shared decision-making between patient and clinician.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 29 results

      community How does hair loss and recovery work?

      in Chat  12 upvotes 1 year ago
      Hair loss varies due to genetic sensitivity to DHT and other factors. Treatments discussed include finasteride, minoxidil, RU58841, and microneedling.

      community Opinions on Scalp fibrosis and DHT?

      in Research/Science  9 upvotes 3 years ago
      The conversation discusses the theory that scalp fibrosis contributes to male pattern baldness (MPB) by increasing DHT concentration, and mentions treatments like Minoxidil. The user seeks opinions on the theory and the effectiveness of scalp massages.

      community Does low HGH leading to hairloss?

      in Research/Science  12 upvotes 2 years ago
      The user experiencing diffuse hair loss is using various treatments including RU58841, finasteride, minoxidil with tretinoin, anti-hair loss shampoo, and microneedling, and is considering adding peptides TB500, BPC157, and GHK-Cu. They have low growth hormone levels and are questioning its impact on hair loss, while another user suggests androgenic alopecia and androgens are likely the main cause of hair loss.

      community Female, 30, PCOS diagnosis, MPB Norwood 2. Endo refuses to give anything other than Spironolactone. Feel like I’m at my wit’s end here.

      in Female  56 upvotes 2 years ago
      A 30-year-old female with PCOS and male pattern baldness is frustrated with her endocrinologist's recommendation of only Spironolactone and minoxidil, feeling that dutasteride, finasteride, and progesterone would be more effective. Other users suggest various online sources for treatments, warn against self-medicating due to potential risks, and recommend seeking a specialized endocrinologist or considering additional treatments like Inositol, Berberine, and dermaneedling.

      community 8 months on 5mg fin daily, 5% min twice daily, and hrt(mtf). Thought my hair was unrecoverable before but now I’m so happy.

      in Transgender  1900 upvotes 2 years ago
      A user named "LordGeek101" shared their positive experience with hair regrowth after using 5mg of finasteride daily, 5% minoxidil twice daily, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for 8 months. The user is transgender (MTF) and mentioned that the larger dose of finasteride was recommended by their doctor for better chances of hair revival.

    Related Research

    7 / 7 results