TLDR Non-invasive imaging helped diagnose a woman's severe hormone imbalance and diabetes, and medication successfully treated her condition.
In 1996, a study described a 35-year-old woman with severe hyperandrogenism, evidenced by symptoms such as hirsutism, amenorrhea, and acanthosis nigricans, and confirmed by a high serum testosterone concentration of 9 nmol/l, along with overt type II diabetes mellitus. Despite the high testosterone levels suggesting a possible androgen-secreting tumor, imaging techniques like MRI and Doppler ultrasonography found no tumor. Treatment with cyproterone acetate normalized the testosterone levels. This case highlighted the utility of non-invasive, high-resolution imaging for diagnosing severe hyperandrogenism without the need for invasive procedures, and the effectiveness of antiandrogen therapy in managing the condition.
1947 citations,
September 1995 in “New England journal of medicine/The New England journal of medicine” PCOS is a common hormonal disorder causing irregular periods and increased hair growth, linked to insulin resistance and long-term health issues.
43 citations,
May 1986 in “Clinics in Endocrinology and Metabolism” Cyproterone acetate is effective for treating hirsutism and acne but less so for hair loss, with side effects similar to birth control pills.
67 citations,
February 2010 in “Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica” Hirsutism is a strong sign of high male hormones and metabolic problems in women with PCOS, but acne and hair loss are not.
49 citations,
June 1998 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation” Cyproterone acetate plus ethinyl estradiol is generally more effective in treating hirsutism, but consider side effects and patient characteristics.
8 citations,
April 1991 in “European journal of endocrinology” 3α-AdiolG is a good marker for androgen activity in women with excessive hair growth and decreases with anti-androgen treatment.
8 citations,
November 1978 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” Cyproterone acetate can effectively treat idiopathic hirsutism, but ethinyl oestradiol and lynoestrenol may not always reduce hair growth.
