TLDR Doctors should know how to diagnose and treat PCOS, which often involves checking for high male hormone levels and using medications to manage symptoms.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is identified as the most prevalent endocrine disorder leading to hirsutism, acne, and pattern alopecia, primarily caused by ovarian dysfunction and often exacerbated by insulin resistance. The document recommends evaluating for hyperandrogenemia in women presenting with significant hirsutism, menstrual irregularities, acanthosis nigricans, or severe obesity, while also conducting thorough endocrinologic assessments to exclude other hyperandrogenic conditions. Ultrasonography is useful for differential diagnosis and may reveal polycystic ovaries, which have been recognized as a diagnostic criterion alongside oligo-anovulation. Treatment options for PCOS vary based on the patient's desire for pregnancy, with common non-pregnancy-focused therapies including oral contraceptives, antiandrogens, and insulin-lowering medications, although the latter has minimal impact on hirsutism.
150 citations,
November 2007 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” About 2.2% of women with symptoms of high male hormones have a mild form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and measuring a specific hormone level can accurately diagnose it.
91 citations,
November 2007 in “European journal of endocrinology” Metformin helps with PCOS symptoms no matter the patient's initial insulin resistance or weight.
129 citations,
October 2007 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” Over one-third of women experience hair loss, with female-pattern hair loss being most common, and treatments include minoxidil and possibly hair transplantation.
352 citations,
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.
271 citations,
December 2005 in “New England journal of medicine/The New England journal of medicine” The document likely offers guidance on treating a woman's excessive hair growth, considering her symptoms and obesity.
60 citations,
September 2001 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Insulin resistance contributes to hormone imbalances in many women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
176 citations,
August 2000 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism” Hormone treatments in transsexual individuals reduce hair growth and oil production in male-to-females and increase them in female-to-males.
1 citations,
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,
February 2012 in “Human Reproduction” Many young women who donate blood have hormonal disorders like excess male hormones and PCOS.
3 citations,
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,
November 2010 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.
