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Chapter 14 - Hirsutism and Virilism

from Section 3 - Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 November 2021

By
Suresh Kini  and
Tahir Mahmood
Edited by
Tahir Mahmood ,
Charles Savona-Ventura ,
Ioannis Messinis  and
Sambit Mukhopadhyay
Tahir Mahmood
Affiliation:
Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy
Charles Savona-Ventura
Affiliation:
University of Malta, Malta
Ioannis Messinis
Affiliation:
University of Thessaly, Greece
Sambit Mukhopadhyay
Affiliation:
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, UK
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Summary

Hirsutism is a common endocrine disorder affecting 5–10% of women of reproductive age. A thorough history, physical examination and selected laboratory tests will confirm the underlying cause. This chapter reviews various causes and clinical management of hirsutism. Counselling, lifestyle modifications, mechanical hair removal and selected medical therapies can be used to reduce the degree of hirsutism and to improve self-esteem. Combined oral contraceptive pill is the first-line therapy for hirsutism, provided there has been no contraindication. At least 6–9 months of treatment may be necessary before an effect can be observed.

Keywords

femalehirsutismraceinvestigationstreatmentoral contraceptive pillcosmeticpathologyovarianadrenal
Type
Chapter
Information
The EBCOG Postgraduate Textbook of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Gynaecology
 , pp. 117 - 123
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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References

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Hirsutism: clinical knowledge summaries. 2014. Available at: http://cks.nice.org.uk/hirsutism.Google Scholar
Meek, CL, Bravis, V, Don, A, Kaplan, F. Polycystic ovary syndrome and the differential diagnosis of hyperandrogenism. TOG 2013;15:171–176.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
RCOG. Long-term consequences of polycystic ovary syndrome. Green-top Guideline No. 33. November 2014. Available at: www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/gtg_33.pdf.Google Scholar
Kini, S, Ramalingam, M. Hirsutism. Obstet Gynaecol Reprod Med 2018;28:129–135.Google Scholar
VanZuuren, EJ, Fedorowicz, Z. Interventions for hirsutism excluding laser and photoepilation therapy alone: a bridged Cochrane systematic review including GRADE assessments. Br J Dermatol 2016;175:45–46.Google Scholar

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