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ABC Medical Center > Hirsutism

What is Hirsutism?

21:54 - 4 May , 2021

Disease

It consists of an exaggerated growth of thick, dark hair in areas where women do not usually have it, such as the mustache, beard, sideburns, neck, chest, back, abdomen, groin, arms, and legs.

Its origin is the exaggerated presence of androgens or male hormones for reasons such as:

  • Hormonal imbalance due to polycystic ovary syndrome.
  • Adrenal glands involvement due to Cushing’s syndrome.
  • Overproduction of androgens and cortisol due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
  • Acromegaly.
  • Ovarian or adrenal gland tumors.
  • Various drugs that increase androgenic levels.
  • Overweight.
  • Obesity.

Signs and symptoms Hirsutism

Hirsutism is usually the first symptom of an androgenic imbalance in the female body, but if this manifestation is not treated properly, a virilization process begins that causes symptoms such as:

  • Deep voice.
  • Alopecia.
  • Skin rashes and acne.
  • Seborrhea.
  • Breast contraction.
  • Greater muscle mass.
  • Clitoris that increases in size.
  • Menstrual disorders.
  • Infertility.

If you have hirsutism or any of these symptoms, see an endocrinologist to determine the direct cause and treat it promptly.

Diagnosis and treatment Hirsutism

Once the endocrinologist analyzes your symptoms and medical history, they will perform a physical examination and request a blood test to check your hormone levels, in addition to performing an ultrasound or computed tomography to identify the causes and look for the possible presence of tumors that are causing the androgen imbalance.

If there is no endocrine condition or underlying disease, the treatment will be of a cosmetic, dietary, and self-care nature, complemented with medications such as:

  • Contraceptive pills.
  • Antiandrogens.
  • Hair growth retardation using topical creams.
  • Laser hair removal: injures hair follicles to prevent hair from growing back.
  • Electrolysis: electrical stimuli through a needle to disable the hair follicles.

At ABC Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies of both chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Fuentes:

  • topdoctors.es
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • cun.es
  • medigraphic.com
  • Mandón-Ortiz MA, Sepúlveda-Agudelo J. Hipertecosis estromal ovárica: reporte de un caso. Ginecol Obstet Mex. 2021;89(11):905-912.
  • Alfaro MG, Salas RB, Zúñiga FA. Evaluación del síndrome de ovario poliquístico: herramientas diagnósticas y nuevas terapias. Revista Médica Sinergia. 2021;6(01):1-15.
  • Vásquez-Awad D, Ospino AM. Anticonceptivos orales combinados. Ginecol Obstet Mex. 2020;88(Suppl: 1):13-31.
  • Chiliquinga VS, Aguirre FR, Agudo GM, et al. Criterios diagnósticos y tratamiento integral terapéutico del síndrome de ovarios poliquísticos. Revista Cubana de Obstetricia y Ginecología. 2017;43(3):173-181.

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