Androgenetic alopecia is a common type of hair loss in men and women, caused by a testosterone byproduct affecting hair follicles, with sensitivity determined by genetics.
118 citations,
February 2009 in “Fertility and Sterility” Most women with PCOS have high levels of male hormones, and free testosterone is the best marker for this.
90 citations,
July 2009 in “PTR. Phytotherapy research/Phytotherapy research” Spearmint tea may reduce testosterone and self-reported hair growth in women with PCOS.
32 citations,
August 1985 in “Clinical endocrinology” Spironolactone may help reduce hair growth and testosterone levels in some women with hirsutism.
22 citations,
January 2019 in “Endocrinology and metabolism” An mFG score of 7 or higher indicates hirsutism in Filipino women, often linked to higher free testosterone levels.
20 citations,
January 2012 in “International Journal of Trichology” Most cases of excessive hair growth in women are caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome and are linked to higher free testosterone levels.
17 citations,
April 2010 in “Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics” Obese women had more testosterone and less acne, but similar hair growth compared to non-obese women.
17 citations,
January 1986 in “Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica” Spironolactone can reduce hair growth and testosterone in hirsutism, but is less effective than combined treatments.
8 citations,
March 2010 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” Free Testosterone Index, bioavailable testosterone, and androstenedione are the most accurate for diagnosing excess male hormones in PCOS.
1 citations,
March 2012 in “Journal of pediatric & adolescent gynecology” A young girl with high testosterone was thought to have a tumor but actually had PCOS, which was treated with birth control pills.