767 citations,
September 2016 in “Human Reproduction” Polycystic ovary syndrome affects about 6-10% of women, with varying symptoms and the need for standardized global definitions.
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.
32 citations,
February 2017 in “Human Reproduction” Women with polycystic ovary syndrome tend to have a longer anogenital distance.
18 citations,
March 2014 in “Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology” Metformin helps regulate menstrual cycles, induce ovulation, and improve pregnancy outcomes in women with PCOS.
11 citations,
April 2017 in “The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care” Cyproterone acetate with ethinyl estradiol is effective for treating skin symptoms related to high androgen levels, like in PCOS.
3 citations,
October 2010 in “Journal of Experimental & Clinical Medicine” Obesity is a major risk factor for insulin resistance in Taiwanese women with PCOS, which is also an independent risk factor for metabolic syndrome.
1 citations,
October 2022 in “Curēus” Diagnosing simple-virilizing congenital adrenal hyperplasia can be difficult and requires thorough testing and expert advice.
December 2023 in “Frontiers in endocrinology” Excess androgens may cause PCOS, not just be a symptom.
2 citations,
February 2022 in “Frontiers in Endocrinology” Antiandrogenic pretreatment for women with PCOS does not improve fertility outcomes and delays pregnancy.
288 citations,
June 2009 in “Human reproduction update” The modified Ferriman-Gallwey method is a useful tool for diagnosing hirsutism.
90 citations,
August 2002 in “European journal of endocrinology” Metformin improves hair growth and menstrual frequency in women with PCOS and hirsutism.
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.
75 citations,
July 2013 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Taking low-dose spironolactone and metformin together works better for PCOS symptoms than either drug alone.
75 citations,
March 1999 in “Fertility and sterility” Finasteride, CPA, and flutamide are all equally effective in reducing excessive hair growth in women.
22 citations,
March 2000 in “Clinical endocrinology” Most patients experienced hirsutism again after stopping hormone treatment, indicating long-term treatment is needed to maintain results.
1 citations,
February 2016 in “Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia” High Lipid Accumulation Product levels are linked to more hirsutism in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
8 citations,
August 2020 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” Spironolactone is a low-cost, effective, and generally safe treatment for various skin conditions related to hormones.
70 citations,
August 1995 in “Fertility and Sterility” Finasteride reduces hairiness and androgen levels in women with unexplained excessive hair growth.
28 citations,
August 2003 in “Steroids” Hirsute women have lower type 2 17β-HSD enzyme levels, which improve with treatment.
6 citations,
August 2009 in “Mini-reviews in Medicinal Chemistry” Different drugs can treat high male hormone levels in women, but they have various effects and some may harm a fetus.
50 citations,
April 2000 in “Fertility and Sterility” Diane 35 plus finasteride is more effective in reducing hair growth and androgen levels, but may decrease libido.
30 citations,
March 2015 in “Clinical Endocrinology” Young women with high male hormone levels or PCOS often feel more psychological distress and have a lower quality of life.
11 citations,
February 2008 in “British journal of nursing” Idiopathic hirsutism causes excessive hair growth in women, can be treated with medication and hair removal, but cannot be fully reversed.
June 2022 in “Biomedical reports” STK11 gene variations do not predict how well metformin will work for PCOS, but may affect hair loss and excess hair growth.
22 citations,
September 1994 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Finasteride reduces dihydrotestosterone, increases testosterone, and may treat hirsutism in women.
633 citations,
September 1998 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” PCOS affects a similar percentage of Black and White women in the Southeastern United States.
14 citations,
March 2010 in “Gynecological endocrinology” New treatments for excessive hair growth in women include insulin modulators and enzyme inhibitors.
11 citations,
January 2013 in “Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism” A woman with a rare adrenal tumor and hormonal disorder had improved testosterone levels after surgery, but her menstrual irregularities continued.
4 citations,
March 2021 in “Case Reports” A woman's excessive hair growth and masculine features were due to a rare benign ovarian tumor and endometrial cancer, which improved after surgery.
3 citations,
November 2005 in “Women's health” Excessive body hair in women can be caused by various conditions and treated with medication like Diane® 35 or androgen blockers.