658 citations,
June 2003 in “Endocrine reviews” Male hormones may play a role in the development of heart disease, and more research is needed to understand their effects.
451 citations,
March 2005 in “Endocrine Reviews” The enzyme steroid sulfatase is linked to breast cancer and other conditions, and inhibitors are being developed for treatment.
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.
251 citations,
October 2014 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” The guidelines advise against using testosterone and DHEA in women for most conditions due to safety and effectiveness concerns, but suggest considering testosterone for postmenopausal women with low sexual desire.
192 citations,
September 2003 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism” Metformin is effective for treating excessive hair growth in women with PCOS and may work better than the standard treatment in some ways.
96 citations,
February 2007 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” Women with type 1 diabetes often have polycystic ovary syndrome and excess male hormones, which are frequently undiagnosed.
90 citations,
February 2013 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Women with PCOS have more body fat and thicker fat layers in certain abdominal areas than women without PCOS.
82 citations,
May 2016 in “Best Practice & Research in Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology” The conclusion is that managing androgen excess requires long-term treatment, including hormonal contraceptives and androgen blockers, with follow-up after six months.
76 citations,
November 2009 in “Medical Clinics of North America” Hormones, especially androgens, play a key role in acne, which can be a symptom of systemic diseases like PCOS and may require targeted treatment.
76 citations,
December 1997 in “Fertility and Sterility” Finasteride reduces hair growth better, but spironolactone has more side effects.
75 citations,
June 1999 in “Pediatric Clinics of North America” The document concludes that early recognition and treatment of PCOS in adolescents is crucial for managing symptoms and long-term health risks.
75 citations,
March 1999 in “Fertility and sterility” Finasteride, CPA, and flutamide are all equally effective in reducing excessive hair growth in women.
71 citations,
July 2015 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Women with PCOS have higher androgen levels that decrease with age but are still higher than in women without PCOS.
70 citations,
August 1995 in “Fertility and Sterility” Finasteride reduces hairiness and androgen levels in women with unexplained excessive hair growth.
63 citations,
March 2001 in “Fertility and Sterility” Diane 35 plus finasteride is more effective for treating hirsutism.
62 citations,
April 2013 in “Steroids” PCOS symptoms change with age; younger women have higher androgen levels and less metabolic issues, while older women face more metabolic challenges despite milder PCOS symptoms.
57 citations,
January 1986 in “The Prostate” The document suggests that targeting the hormone DHT could be a more effective treatment for prostate cancer than targeting testosterone.
54 citations,
November 2017 in “Scientific Reports” The study found that certain microRNAs are higher in the cells and lower in the fluid of women with a specific type of polycystic ovary syndrome, and one microRNA could potentially help diagnose the condition.
53 citations,
December 2015 in “JAMA Dermatology” Women with PCOS often have more body hair, acne, and skin darkening, and these signs are linked to metabolic issues like insulin resistance and high cholesterol.
50 citations,
May 2000 in “Fertility and Sterility” Flutamide reduces hair growth better but has more side effects.
50 citations,
July 1996 in “Fertility and Sterility” Finasteride effectively treats hirsutism in women, but more research needed for long-term results.
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.
48 citations,
July 2009 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” DHEA did not improve sexual function, well-being, or menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women with low libido but caused side effects like acne and increased facial hair.
48 citations,
January 2003 in “Fertility and Sterility” There's no significant link between the D19S884 marker at the insulin receptor gene and polycystic ovary syndrome.
48 citations,
January 2000 in “Hormone Research in Paediatrics” Cytokines and neuropeptides are key in controlling androgen levels, affecting skin and hair conditions.
47 citations,
June 2016 in “JAMA Dermatology” Men with early hair loss have similar hormone levels to women with PCOS, possibly increasing risk of obesity and heart issues.
42 citations,
September 2007 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” The research found that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has two distinct types, with one having more severe hormone and insulin issues.
42 citations,
February 1985 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Excessive hair growth can be assessed by history, exam, and blood tests, and treated with medication like dexamethasone, birth control pills, and spironolactone.
40 citations,
February 2005 in “Fertility and Sterility” Some women with PCOS have CYP21 mutations and IRS1 variants, but these genetic factors are not major contributors to PCOS.
38 citations,
May 2006 in “Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics” Women with only irregular periods or excess hair have a better hormone profile than those with full PCOS, but both groups are similar, indicating a need for better PCOS diagnosis methods.