Hirsutism: Diagnosis and management

doi:10.1016/j.genm.2010.04.002 | How to Cite or Link Using DOI
Copyright © 2010 Excerpta Medica Inc. All rights reserved.

Lindsey Ann Brodell MS^a and Mary Gail Mercurio MD^{, a,}

^a Department of Dermatology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York

Accepted 2 March 2010. 

Available online 30 April 2010.

Abstract

Background:Hirsutism is defined as excess hair growth in androgen-dependent areas of the body in women.

Objective: This article provides an updated review of hirsutism, focusing on the etiologies, clinical features, approach to diagnostic evaluation, and treatment options.

Methods: The PubMed database was searched for English-language articles published from 1981 to the present, using the terms hirsutism, polycystic ovarian syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hirsutism diagnosis, and hirsutism treatment. Reference lists from review articles on hirsutism during this time period were also examined.

Results: While there are many causes of hirsutism, the majority of patients have a benign process that may be idiopathic. In some circumstances, hirsutism is a sign of functional ovarian hyperandrogenism or congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Even more rarely, it is the presenting sign of an internal malignancy.

Conclusions: Hirsutism clinically presents in women as excessive hair growth in androgen-dependent areas. It is a particularly important diagnosis to make, because it often significantly affects a woman's perception of her femininity and less commonly can be a sign of an underlying malignancy or a cutaneous manifestation of a condition with significant cardiovascular or other morbidity. A variety of treatments exist to help minimize the appearance of unwanted hair.

Key words: hirsutism; hypertrichosis; functional ovarian hyperandrogenism; congenital adrenal hyperplasia; hyperandrogenism

Address correspondence to: Mary Gail Mercurio, MD, Department of Dermatology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 697, Rochester, NY 14642.

From http://www.sciencedirect.com