A 73-year-old woman's unusual hair loss and growth led to the discovery of a rare condition causing too much testosterone, which improved after her ovaries were removed.
Hirsutism, often caused by PCOS, is treated with medication and weight loss is important for obese women with PCOS.
June 2006 in “Basrah journal of surgery” Metformin helps induce ovulation in obese women with PCOS, but weight loss is still the main treatment.
September 2005 in “Morecambe Bay medical journal” Insulin resistance plays a key role in PCOS, and lifestyle changes, weight loss, and medications like metformin can help manage it.
January 2005 in “Elsevier eBooks” Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinism are linked to fertility issues and can worsen symptoms of PCOS.
The document concludes that Syndromes of Severe Insulin Resistance are rare disorders with limited treatment options.
July 2002 in “Journal of applied cosmetology” Hair growth issues can be linked to genetics, diseases, or medications, and new treatments are being developed.
July 1998 in “Annals of saudi medicine/Annals of Saudi medicine” A misdiagnosed case of HAIR-AN syndrome led to unnecessary surgeries and highlighted the importance of correct diagnosis and treatment.
March 1965 in “Hospital Topics” Chemotherapy provides symptom relief and extends life in 30-50% of gynecological cancer cases, but has only cured choriocarcinoma.
April 2019 in “Journal of emerging technologies and innovative research” Early treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss is important to stop it from getting worse, and various treatments can help, especially in mild to moderate cases.
991 citations,
January 2011 in “Nature Reviews Endocrinology” The document concludes that PCOS is a complex disorder caused by both genetic and environmental factors, affecting women's health in various ways, and requires personalized treatment.
514 citations,
February 2011 in “International journal of women's health” Different treatments for PCOS focus on the specific symptoms, with weight loss and lifestyle changes being important.
99 citations,
June 1999 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Testosterone replacement may help some postmenopausal women with symptoms like fatigue and low libido, but more research is needed to fully understand its effects.
97 citations,
February 2007 in “Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology” The definition of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome may change with new research, and careful screening is key for managing the condition.
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.
88 citations,
May 2012 in “Human Reproduction Update” Women with PCOS may take longer to get pregnant but can have a normal family size, and should manage their overall health to reduce long-term health risks.
76 citations,
October 2016 in “Clinics in dermatology” Sex hormones, especially androgens, play a key role in causing acne.
75 citations,
February 2016 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Androgens play a role in female sexual function, and testosterone therapy can help women with low sexual desire, but more research is needed on treatments and long-term safety.
71 citations,
November 2013 in “Clinics in Dermatology” Acne is a chronic disease linked to various systemic conditions and has significant psychological and social effects.
62 citations,
April 2016 in “Best Practice & Research in Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology” The conclusion is that there's a need for a new conference to establish stricter guidelines for diagnosing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
60 citations,
June 1997 in “Baillière's clinical obstetrics and gynaecology” PCOS is often caused by hormonal imbalances that can lead to various health issues and may indicate a risk for future metabolic and cardiovascular problems.
53 citations,
October 1984 in “Endocrine reviews” Excessive hair growth in women often has no known cause and is not linked to race or other hormonal symptoms.
51 citations,
April 1999 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Testosterone replacement may improve sexual desire and bone health in women with low androgen levels, but more research is needed on its long-term safety.
45 citations,
November 2015 in “Dermatologic Clinics” Hormones might affect the skin condition hidradenitis suppurativa, but their exact role is unclear.
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.
30 citations,
April 2014 in “Seminars in Reproductive Medicine” Diagnosing PCOS in teenagers is hard because its symptoms often look like normal puberty, and there's a need for better diagnosis methods and agreement on criteria.
28 citations,
October 1998 in “Baillière's clinical endocrinology and metabolism” Testosterone replacement may help post-menopausal women with androgen insufficiency, but more research is needed on its benefits and risks.
26 citations,
April 2007 in “Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition” A teenage girl with high androgen levels and PCOS developed a rare liver tumor, suggesting a possible link between high androgens and the tumor's growth.
21 citations,
November 2012 in “Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery” Both genetic and lifestyle factors significantly affect female hair loss.
19 citations,
October 2012 in “Frontiers of Hormone Research” Lifestyle changes are the first step in treating infertility in PCOS, followed by medications like clomiphene and metformin, and then surgery if needed.