RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Update on the management of hirsutism
JF Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
JO Cleve Clin J Med
FD Cleveland Clinic
SP 388
OP 398
DO 10.3949/ccjm.77a.08079
VO 77
IS 6
A1 Shannon Harrison
A1 Najwa Somani
A1 Wilma F. Bergfeld
YR 2010
UL http://www.ccjm.org/content/77/6/388.abstract
AB Hirsutism is a source of significant anxiety in women. While polycystic ovary syndrome or other endocrine conditions are responsible for excess androgen in many patients, other patients have normal menses and normal androgen levels (“idiopathic” hirsutism). The goal of the evaluation is to rule out any underlying pathology. The goals of therapy are to treat any underlying condition and to remove the excess hair. Current options for hair removal are discussed. Educating patients so they have reasonable treatment expectations is essential, as significant improvement may take weeks or months, and treatment may need to be repeated on an ongoing basis.