135 citations,
March 1984 in “Fertility and sterility” Higher levels of unbound testosterone are linked to increased insulin resistance, especially in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
75 citations,
November 2007 in “Clinical endocrinology” Certain medications including flutamide, spironolactone, and others effectively reduce excessive hair growth in women, especially when combined with lifestyle changes.
75 citations,
October 1999 in “European journal of endocrinology” Finasteride is a safe, effective treatment for hirsutism with fewer side effects.
75 citations,
March 1999 in “Fertility and sterility” Finasteride, CPA, and flutamide are all equally effective in reducing excessive hair growth in women.
75 citations,
May 1986 in “Clinics in endocrinology and metabolism” Male hormones are important for hair and oil gland development and can cause conditions like excessive hair growth and acne.
74 citations,
November 1975 in “Archives of dermatology” Increased DHT formation in skin can cause hair loss, acne, and excessive hair growth, and antiandrogens might treat these conditions.
67 citations,
January 1997 in “Lancet” Hirsutism is when women have too much hair growth, often due to a bit more androgen hormones and sensitive skin.
66 citations,
September 2008 in “Dermatologic therapy” The conclusion is that the best initial treatment for hirsutism is usually oral contraceptives, with the addition of antiandrogens or insulin sensitizers if needed, and topical eflornithine or laser treatments as supplementary options.
59 citations,
January 2003 in “Phytomedicine” Fennel extract cream can reduce hair thickness in people with excessive hair growth.
57 citations,
May 1986 in “Clinics in endocrinology and metabolism” Androstanediol glucuronide is a reliable marker for hirsutism in women.
56 citations,
October 2018 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Androgens play a complex role in skin conditions like acne and hair loss in women, and normal blood levels don't always show true androgen status.
56 citations,
August 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings” Different women's hair and skin glands respond to hormones in varied ways, which can cause unwanted hair growth even with normal hormone levels, and more research is needed to treat this effectively.
55 citations,
March 2000 in “American journal of clinical dermatology” Antiandrogens, particularly flutamide and CPA, are most effective for treating hirsutism, with long-term use needed for best results.
50 citations,
July 1996 in “Fertility and Sterility” Finasteride effectively treats hirsutism in women, but more research needed for long-term results.
41 citations,
April 2010 in “Gender Medicine” The conclusion is that hirsutism should be diagnosed and treated because it affects quality of life and may signal other health problems.
35 citations,
March 2012 in “Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes” The conclusion is that accurately identifying the cause of high androgen levels in women with PCOS is crucial and requires specific tests.
35 citations,
May 1986 in “Clinics in endocrinology and metabolism” The exact cause of increased 5α-reductase activity leading to hirsutism in women is still unknown.
32 citations,
June 2019 in “Frontiers in Endocrinology” Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is common in women with conditions like anovulation, hirsutism, hair loss, and type 2 diabetes, and it can lead to health risks like heart disease, obesity, insulin resistance, and depression. Non-Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (NC-CAH) is also discussed.
31 citations,
November 2014 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation” Women with androgen excess, especially those with PCOS, have a much higher risk of heart disease and stroke.
23 citations,
February 2014 in “Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology” Low-dose finasteride reduces excessive hair growth in teenage girls safely and affordably.
21 citations,
March 1982 in “JAMA” Spironolactone is effective and safe for treating excessive facial hair in women.
19 citations,
September 2004 in “Reviews in gynaecological practice” Effective hirsutism management requires identifying the cause, combining new and traditional treatments, and setting realistic expectations for patients.
17 citations,
October 2003 in “Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research” The gene SDR5A1 is found in scalp hair of both hirsute and normal individuals, but it does not explain differences in hair growth.
16 citations,
July 2017 in “Rheumatology and Therapy” Tofacitinib, a medication for arthritis, showed potential for treating severe hair loss in a small Brazilian case series, but more research is needed.
16 citations,
January 2007 in “Archives of Iranian Medicine” Polycystic ovary syndrome is the main cause of hirsutism in premenopausal Iranian women.
11 citations,
May 2003 in “Obstetrics and gynecology (New York. 1953. Online)/Obstetrics and gynecology” Hirsutism in women often indicates a hormonal imbalance and can be managed with a combination of hormonal treatments and hair removal methods.
10 citations,
July 2014 in “Veterinary dermatology” Deslorelin may help intact male dogs regrow hair from alopecia X, with a 75% success rate and no side effects.
10 citations,
December 1995 in “Journal of women's health” Finasteride reduces hair growth in women with hirsutism and works better with electrolysis.
8 citations,
April 2015 in “Advances in Psychosomatic Medicine” Psychotropic medications can cause skin problems but also treat some skin conditions.
8 citations,
October 2010 in “Scandinavian Journal of Clinical & Laboratory Investigation” Normal-range ALT levels can indicate metabolic and hormonal imbalances in young women.