Hirsutism

Hirsutism is the presence of terminal (coarse) hairs in females in a male-like pattern; it affects between 5% and 15% of women surveyed.^1,2,3,4 This chapter outlines the normal metabolism of androgens; the physiology and pathophysiology of hair growth; and the differential diagnosis, workup, and treatment of the hirsute patient.

Androgens are C19 steroids that are derived from cholesterol and secreted by the adrenal cortex and ovaries. Androgens may also be derived (not secreted) from the conversion of other steroids by the liver and some peripheral tissues (e.g. adipose tissue, muscle, skin). Principal circulating androgens include testosterone (T) and its 5α-reduced metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT), androstenedione (A₄), and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and its metabolite dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) (Fig. 1). Androgens act through a specific cytoplasmic/nuclear intracellular receptor.

In adult women, T originates approximately 25% from the ovary, 25% from the adrenal, and 50% from the peripheral conversion of A₄.⁵ T and A₄ are also metabolized to DHT, a potent androgen, through the action of 5α-reductase in the liver and skin. A₄ is produced equally from the ovary and the adrenal cortex, whereas approximately 95% of DHA and 99% of DHEAS are secreted by the zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex. DHA, DHEAS, and A₄ exhibit a circadian rhythm similar to that of cortisol, with peak serum concentrations in early morning and the nadir in late evening.^6,7,8 DHA and A₄ are much weaker androgens than are T and DHT, and under normal circumstances they have a very limited androgenic effect. Although DHEAS is the most abundant androgen in circulation, in a concentration approximately 8000 to 10,000 times that of T, it has almost no androgenic activity.

T and DHT circulate tightly bound to the hepatic α-globulin sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and, in a lesser extent, to albumin. A₄ is only weakly bound, and DHA and DHEAS circulate mostly unbound.^9,10 Because only free (unbound) steroid is able to act on the androgen receptor, the action of T and DHT is greatly influenced by the circulating SHBG level. Assuming that the level of total hormone remains unchanged, a decrease in the circulating concentration of SHBG results in higher free fractions of T and DHT and an increase in their effect.¹¹ In addition, the SHBG level influences the clearance of T and DHT from circulation,¹² because only free androgen can be metabolized by the liver and peripheral tissues. Paradoxically, the circulating SHBG level is decreased by androgens and increased by estrogens.^13,14,15,16 If the circulating level of androgens increases, the SHBG concentration drops resulting in a higher T and DHT clearance. The final result may be that, although the total T level remains relatively normal, T production and its free (active or unbound) fraction are increased.¹¹ Increased insulin levels, as seen in patients with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the hyperandrogenic-insulin resistant-acanthosis nigricans (HAIRAN) syndrome, are a more important factor in suppressing SHBG levels than are androgens (see later discussion).

Androgen production and clearance are affected by various physiologic states. In obesity, androgen production and clearance are accelerated.¹⁷ The increased clearance is caused, in part, by an obesity-related decrease in SHBG, which leads to higher levels of rapidly metabolizable free T and DHT. In addition, because steroids are fat soluble, the increased amount of adipose tissue in obese women tends to “trap” androgens, increasing their extravascular pool. In obesity a greater percentage of the androgens are metabolized to estrogens through the action of aromatase, which is present in the stroma of adipose tissue. Because androgen levels in obese women are generally normal or only slightly decreased, their production rate must be increased to compensate for their higher clearance.

Hair follicles cover the entire body with the exception of the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands, and the lips. Most hair follicles are present at birth, with very few new ones formed thereafter.¹⁸ Hair follicles are lost in a generalized fashion beginning in the middle to late forties, leading to the thinning of hair that is noted thereafter. Hair follicles are usually present in conjunction with a sebaceous gland, forming the pilosebaceous unit. Hair is composed of keratin proteins, which form the hair shaft. The hair shaft grows within the outer hair root sheath, which forms part of the epidermis. Structurally, there are three types of hair. Lanugo is the soft, unmedullated hair covering the surface of the fetus, which is shed sometime in late gestation or in the early postpartum period. Vellus hairs are short (2 to 5 mm), soft, fine, unmedullated, and usually nonpigmented, and cover the apparently “hairless” areas of the body. Terminal hairs are long, coarse, and medullated; they make up the eyebrows, the eyelashes, and the scalp, pubic, and axillary hair.

Although there are racial and ethnic differences in follicle numbers, there is little difference in follicle number between sexes within each race or ethnic group.^19,20 The visible differences between men and women do not relate to the number of hair follicles, but rather to the type of hair arising from these follicles (i.e. vellus versus terminal hairs). Whites have a higher density of hair follicles than Blacks, who in turn have more follicles than persons of Asian descent. Although in women many of the hair follicles produce vellus hairs, in men these same follicles produce terminal hairs, leading to the appearance of visible facial, chest, and abdominal hair.

The hair growth cycle can be divided into three phases.¹⁸ The hair grows actively during the anagen phase, which is associated with downward progression of the dermal papilla (Fig. 2). During the catagen phase, the hair follicle involutes. This is followed by the telogen phase, in which the hair is eventually shed. Although in many animal species the growth cycles of all hair follicles are in synchrony, in humans this is not the case, which accounts for the impression that hair continuously grows. Occasionally a greater number of hair follicles shift into synchrony, as in pregnancy, in menopause, or on initiation of various hormonal therapies such as oral contraceptive medications. A temporary increase in the number of hairs in anagen is noted, but eventually these hairs reach telogen and begin to shed in excessive numbers. Normally approximately 15% of scalp hairs are in telogen; and if more than 25% of hairs are in telogen, the condition is known as telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium is most frequently observed in the postpartum period or after discontinuation of oral contraceptives. There is not an actual reduction in the number of hair follicles, and patients should be assured that this condition is only temporary, although full normalization of hair growth may take up to 3 years (i.e. approximately the duration of the life cycle of scalp hairs).

There are a number of hormones that control hair growth. Thyroid and growth hormones produce a generalized increase in hair growth. Hyperthyroidism yields a fine, friable hair that is easily lost, whereas hypothyroidism produces a coarse, brittle hair that also is easily lost. Of the reproductive hormones, progesterone has a minimal effect. Estrogens basically oppose the effect of androgens, most importantly by increasing circulating SHBG, leading to a decrease in free T and DHT. Direct effects of estrogen on the hair follicle have been suggested, but the exact extent of this effect and its mechanism remain unclear.

Androgens are the most important determinant of the type and distribution of hairs throughout the body. Circulating androgens, particularly T and A₄, are converted in the hair follicle to DHT through the action of 5α-reductase. DHT (and, to a limited extent, T, A₄, and DHA) then acts on the dermal papilla of androgen-sensitive hair follicles and sebaceous glands to increase the growth rate and thickness of terminal hairs and sebum production, respectively. Androgens also transform vellusproducing follicles to terminal hair-producing follicle, an irreversible process.

The effect of androgens on the hair follicle depends on whether the hair follicle is sensitive to these hormones.^18,20,21 Some skin areas (e.g. eyelashes, eyebrows, lateral and occipital aspects of the scalp) appear to be relatively resistant and independent of the effects of androgens and are designated as nonsexual skin areas. Other areas, including the lower pubic triangle and the axilla, are very sensitive to the effects of even low levels of androgens because of their high 5α-reductase activity and are designated as ambosexual skin areas. The hair follicles in these areas develop terminal hairs quite early in puberty, coinciding with the minimal increases in adrenal androgens. Other parts of the skin contain lower levels of 5α-reductase and respond only to higher concentrations of androgens. These include the chin, cheek, sideburn, and neck areas; the upper and lower back; the chest; the upper and lower abdomen (i.e. male scutcheon); the upper thighs and buttocks; and the upper arms. These areas are designated as sexual skin areas. Terminal hair growth in these areas is characteristically masculine and, if present in women, is considered hirsutism.

Hirsutism is the presence of terminal (coarse) hairs in females in a male-like pattern (Fig. 3). Excessive growth of coarse hairs of the lower forearms and lower legs alone does not constitute hirsutism, although women with hirsutism may note an increase in the pigmentation and growth rate of hairs on these body areas. Although hirsutism usually is obvious, it is important to standardize the examination for future reference by use of a scoring system. Such a system is depicted in Figure 3, and a few other schemes have also been proposed. It is also important to remember that not all hyperandrogenic women demonstrate hirsutism, such as Asian women.²²

In addition to hirsutism, hyperandrogenism in women may have other manifestations, including acne, androgenic alopecia, ovulatory dysfunction, and, if very severe, virilization and/or masculinization.

Acne

The pilosebaceous unit, in addition to the hair follicle, also contains a sebaceous gland which produces an oily protective secretion, sebum. The excessive production of sebum in response to androgen action leads to oily skin, clogged hair follicles, folliculitis, and subsequent acne. Increased serum androgen levels have been noted in patients with acne,^{23,24,25,26,27} particularly in those with concurrent hirsutism, although not all investigators agree.^28,29,30,31 Although all androgens may lead to acne, the sole presence of acne without hirsutism is often associated with excessive levels of the adrenal androgens, DHA and/or DHEAS.^32,33,34,35 These steroids are relatively weak in their stimulation of terminal hair growth, but they are relatively effective in increasing sebum production. Nevertheless, there are conflicting reports as to the incidence of adrenocortical abnormalities in women with acne.^36,37

Some investigators have observed that, although serum androgen levels may be relatively normal, the metabolism of such androgens to DHT via 5α-reductase is increased in the affected skin.^38,39,40 It does appear clear, however, that acne frequently improves after treatment with oral contraceptives, glucocorticoid suppression, spironolactone (SPA), or cyproterone acetate (CPA).^{41,42,43,44,45,46,47} Although many teenagers suffer from acne, skin problems that persist past 20 years of age should raise the suspicion of androgen excess. Empiric treatment with SPA, low-dose glucocorticoid, or oral contraceptives may be justified in acneic patients without other evidence of overt androgen excess.

Androgenic Alopecia

Scalp hair loss as a consequence of androgen excess can take two forms. In severe cases, where massive androgen excess and virilization/masculinization is present, patients can demonstrate the typical pattern of balding found in men (i.e. premature male-pattern balding). More common, however, is the so-called androgenic (or androgenetic if an inherited cause is suspected) alopecia (AA) or female-pattern balding. In AA a diffuse thinning of hair throughout the sagittal scalp is noted.⁴⁸ Approximately 40% of women with AA have some form of hyperandrogenemia.⁴⁹ In one study of 109 women with AA, 38.5% had evidence of hyperandrogenemia.⁵⁰ However, in this population 25 women were also hirsute (with and without oligo-ovulation). If only the 84 nonhirsute women with AA were considered, then approximately 20% of these patients were found to be hyperandrogenemic and only 9% had PCOS. Therefore, only one fifth of women with AA and without hirsutism actually are hyperandrogenic.

Oligo-ovulation or Anovulation

Androgens can be converted to estrogens in peripheral and hepatic tissue, and the excessive levels of both androgens and estrogens may alter the hypothalamic-pituitary production of gonadotropins. Furthermore, excessive androgen levels directly inhibit follicular development,^51,52 which may result in the accumulation of multiple small cysts within the ovarian cortex (the so-called “polycystic” ovary).

Virilization and Masculinization

If androgen levels become extremely elevated for a substantial period, the patient's body habitus may become masculinized, with a reduction in breast size, an increase in muscle mass and upper body fat deposition, and features of virilization. In turn, virilization includes the appearance of sagittal and frontal balding, clitoromegaly, and severe hirsutism. Masculinized and/or virilized patients are almost always amenorrheic. In general, virilization or masculinization should raise the suspicion of an androgen-producing tumor or classic (but not nonclassic) adrenal hyperplasia (see later discussion). Occasionally girls with severe hyperthecosis or the HAIRAN syndrome (see later discussion) exhibit a moderate degree of virilization.

The differential diagnoses of hirsutism can be divided into those causes that are independent of excessive androgen action (i.e. nonandrogenic causes), those that are related to excessive production or ingestion of androgens (androgen causes), and idiopathic hirsutism (IH), which is presumed to occur in response to the excessive peripheral utilization of androgens.

Nonandrogenic Causes

ACROMEGALY.

Between 0% and 50% of acromegalic women have been reported to present with hirsutism.⁵³ Accompanying the hirsutism is an enlargement of the hands and feet and a coarsening of the facial features. This cause of hirsutism is extremely rare, and the diagnosis is based on a determination of excessive growth hormone secretion. The mechanisms underlying the association between acromegaly and hirsutism, if any exist, remain to be confirmed.

CHRONIC SKIN IRRITATION.

Teleologically, hairs protect the skin, and chronic dermatologic irritation or injury, particularly of the face, can stimulate hair growth.¹⁸ Excessive waxing or plucking,⁵⁴ abuse of depilating agents, and chronic use of retinoic acid for the treatment of age-associated wrinkles⁵⁵ have all been reported to increase the length and diameter of facial hairs and possibly convert to vellus to terminal hairs.

DRUGS.

Certain medications, such as phenytoin, cyclosporine, minoxidil, calcium channel blockers, diazoxide, and erythropoietin, can cause a generalized growth of body and facial hair.

Androgenic Causes

ANDROGENIC DRUGS.

On occasion the use or abuse of androgenic drugs such as danazol, methyltestosterone, stanazolol, and oxandrolone lead to the development of acne and hirsutism. This problem is most frequently seen in women being treated with long-term danazol for hereditary angioneurotic angioedema, young women engaged in body building, and menopausal women who are receiving androgens as part of the hormonal replacement.

MALE PSEUDOHERMAPHRODITISM.

The peripubertal onset of hirsutism, breast development, and clitoromegaly, accompanied by primary amenorrhea in association with an absent uterus, suggests the presence of either incomplete androgen insensitivity (i.e. partial testicular feminization) or a Y-bearing dysgenetic gonad.^57,58 If undiagnosed, progressive masculinization may result. On examination, these persons demonstrate a blind vaginal pouch and varying degrees of clitoromegaly and labial fusion. These patients may also demonstrate bilateral or unilateral vulvar swelling secondary to the descent of one or both gonads. In some patients with XY gonadal dysgenesis, a uterine remnant is present, invariably accompanied by some degree of genital asymmetry. Overall, this cause of hirsutism is extremely rare.

NONCLASSIC ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA.

Adrenal enzyme deficiencies that lead to the appearance of hyperandrogenic symptoms at some time after birth have been called late-onset, postpubertal, attenuated, mild, or acquired, although the term nonclassic adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) is preferred. By definition, NCAH is an autosomal recessive disorder that causes symptomatic hyperandrogenemia (e.g. hirsutism, acne, oligomenorrhea) peripubertally or postpubertally, in the presence of normal female external genitalia. If a girl presents with evidence of an adrenal enzyme deficiency and demonstrates virilization of the genitalia, the disorder should be classified as congenital or classic adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), because the adrenal hyperandrogenemia was present in utero during genital development.

A defect in 21-hydroxylase (21-OH) accounts for more than 95% of all cases of NCAH (and CAH), although defects of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and 11β-hydroxylase (11-OH) have also been reported to cause the disorder⁵⁹ (Fig. 4). These patients have a genetic defect of one of these enzymes that decreases its catalyzing efficiency. Consequently, the production of appropriate amounts of the enzymatic product (e.g. 11-deoxycortisol in the case of 21-OH deficiency) requires greater concentrations of precursor owing to the changes in the enzymatic kinetic constant.⁶⁰ The excess amounts of precursor (e.g. 17 α-hydroxyprogesterone [17-HP] in the case of 21-OH deficiency) are then also converted to greater amounts of androgens. Overall, and in contrast to CAH, patients with NCAH do not generally demonstrate a decrease in cortisol production nor an elevation in circulating adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels.⁶¹

21-Hydroxylase-Deficient NCAH.

A deficiency in 21-OH activity constitutes the most common cause of NCAH, affecting between 1% and 10% of hyperandrogenic women, depending on ethnicity.⁵⁹ Overall, only 1% to 2% of hirsute individuals of Anglo-Saxon descent are affected, and 5% to 6% of hirsute patients of Latin descent (e.g. Spanish, Italian, French) have the disorder. The prevalence of NCAH appears to be particularly high among Ashkenazi Jews and patients from the Middle East.

In contrast to CAH, NCAH patients do not demonstrate virilization of the external genitalia, although occasional patients may have mild clitoromegaly. Hyperandrogenic symptoms most commonly appear peripubertally or postpubertally, although some children may present with premature adrenarche. Women with NCAH generally demonstrate relatively mild symptoms of hyperandrogenism, if any at all.⁶² Biochemically it is difficult to distinguish women with NCAH from other hyperandrogenic patients, and circulating T and DHEAS levels are not different from those observed in patients with PCOS.^62,63,64 In fact, the level of DHEAS, an exclusive adrenal androgen, is often normal.

The measurement of a morning 17-HP level in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle can be used to screen for 21-OH deficiency in NCAH.^63,65 The majority of women with untreated NCAH demonstrate basal 17-HP levels higher than 2 ng/ml (Fig. 5). If used to screen for 21-OH deficient NCAH, the basal 17-HP should be obtained in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, because this progestogen increases in the luteal phase.⁶⁵ Furthermore, dexamethasone should not be administrated before sampling, because it will suppress the circulating 17-HP level.

Hyperandrogenic women who demonstrate a basal follicular phase 17-HP level higher than 2 ng/ml merit an ACTH stimulation test to rule out NCAH (see later discussion). If the 17-HP level 30 or 60 minutes after intravenous administration of one vial of ACTH-(1-24) (Cortrosyn) is greater than 10 ng/ml, the diagnosis of 21-OH-deficient NCAH is established, although most patients have ACTH-stimulated 17-HP values in excess of 15 ng/ml (Fig. 6).^{62,63,64,65,66,67}

The genetics of 21-OH-deficient NCAH have been extensively characterized. The 21-OH gene (i.e. CYP21) is located on the short arm of chromosome 6, in the midst of the human leukocyte antigen region. Molecular genetic studies have been able to establish the majority of the mutations resulting in 21-OH-deficient NCAH.⁶⁸ In close proximity to CYP21 lies a pseudogene (CYP21P) that is not active but is very similar in DNA sequence. Its proximity probably accounts for the high frequency of inherited abnormalities of the 21-OH gene, due to gene conversion or deletion. Patients with NCAH may carry mutations in each of the homologous CYP21 alleles, which encodes for a mild defect (but usually they are different). Alternatively, approximately one half to two thirds of patients with NCAH are “compound heterozygotes,” carrying a mild mutation of one CYP21 and a more severe mutation (which would result in CAH if present in homozygous form) on the homologous allele.

11 β -Hydroxylase-Deficient NCAH.

Patients with 11-OH deficient NCAH, like those with the 21-OH variant, have been reported to be clinically indistinguishable from other hyperandrogenic women.⁶⁹ The blood pressure in patients with 11-OH-deficient NCAH ranges from normal to moderately elevated. The basal hormonal profile is also not distinctive. However, the prevalence of 11-OH-deficient NCAH and its diagnostic criteria remain unclear. Using a level of 11-deoxycortisol greater than three times the upper limit of controls as a criterion, we⁶⁹ and others⁷⁰ have suggested that the prevalence of presumed 11-OH-deficient NCAH among hirsute patients is 1% or less. Nonetheless, the diagnosis of 11-OH-deficient NCAH has yet to be confirmed by molecular analysis of the responsible gene, CYP11a.⁷¹

3 β -Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase-Deficient NCAH.

The diagnosis of 3β-HSD-deficient NCAH has been assumed to be based on abnormally high levels of 17-hydroxypregnenolone (17-HPREG) or DHA, or both, after ACTH stimulation.⁷² However, molecular defects of the 3β-HSD-II gene (the enzyme form predominant in the adrenal cortex) have yet to be demonstrated in adult women with suspected 3β-HSD-deficient NCAH.^{73,74,75,76,77,78} The few cases of molecularly confirmed 3β-HSD deficiency that have been diagnosed in children^73,74,75 suggest that the level of 17-HPREG diagnostic of NCAH is more than 50 times the upper normal value.⁷⁵

Furthermore, even with the much less strict diagnostic criterion of an ACTH-stimulated 17-HPREG level three times greater than control values (similar to the difference in 17-HP levels found in 21-OH-deficient NCAH), we were unable to diagnose any affected patients among 86 consecutive hyperandrogenic women⁷⁹ or among 30 women with increased DHEAS levels.⁸⁰ Therefore, it appears that 3β-HSD deficient NCAH, if it exists, is, like its 11-OH-deficient counterpart, extremely rare.

THE HYPERANDROGENIC-INSULIN RESISTANT-ACANTHOSIS NIGRICANS (HAIRAN) SYNDROME.

Between 1% to 5% of hyperandrogenic women have this disorder. These patients demonstrate extreme insulin resistance with secondary hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenism. Although exact diagnostic guidelines have yet to elucidated, it appears that the disorder can be diagnosed by the presence of extremely high circulating levels of insulin, usually more than 80 μU/ml in the fasting state and/or more than 300 μU/ml after a 2- or 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test.^81,82,83,84 In the early stages of the disorder, particularly in children or adolescents, glucose levels are relatively normal. Nonetheless, over time many of these patients experience progressive islet cell failure with the development of type 2 diabetes.

The high levels of insulin are generally caused by a genetic defect in post-insulin receptor action.⁸⁴ Rarely, some of these women demonstrate abnormal insulin receptors^85,86,87 or circulating anti-insulin receptor antibodies.^88,89 The elevated circulating insulin concentrations act synergistically with luteinizing hormone (LH) to augment ovarian androgen (but not adrenal) production. This syndrome should not be confused with PCOS (discussed later), a disorder that is also associated with insulin resistance, although of a much lesser degree than that of the HAIRAN syndrome.

Patients with HAIRAN syndrome often demonstrate ovarian hyperthecosis, a pathologic finding characterized by islands of hyperplastic luteinized theca cells located throughout the stroma and the presence of relatively few and small atretic follicles.⁹⁰ In fact, the finding of hyperthecosis usually suggests the presence of the HAIRAN syndrome,⁹¹ although a few patients with PCOS may also demonstrate this pathologic finding. In HAIRAN patients with hyperthecosis, circulating levels of LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) may be normal to low (4 to 8 mIU/ml) due to the extremely high circulating levels of T.

Consequent to the presence of ovarian hyperthecosis, many patients with HAIRAN are severely hyperandrogenic, and even present with a moderate degree of virilization. Patients with HAIRAN syndrome also exhibit acanthosis nigricans, a velvety, hyperpigmented change of the crease areas of the skin (Fig. 7). Some of these patients may also demonstrate forms of lipodystrophy. Many also have, or will have, glucose intolerance or type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, and dyslipidemia, particularly suppressed high-density lipoproteins and hypertrigliceridemia. Overall, both morbidity and mortality in these patients are quite significant, and these women require intensive counseling, follow-up, and treatment of both hyperandrogenic and metabolic abnormalities.

When undergoing treatment for hyperandrogenism, most patients with HAIRAN syndrome respond to standard therapy with antiandrogens and oral contraceptives, although some require more aggressive treatment.⁹² Ketoconazole⁹³ or longacting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues (GnRH-a)^92,94 have been used in nonresponsive cases, with good results (Fig. 7). Long-acting GnRH-a inhibits LH-dependent androgen production by reducing circulating gonadotropins to castrate levels. At least 3 to 6 months of gonadotropin suppression is required to achieve full androgen suppression in HAIRAN syndrome, and treatment can be continued for years when combined with add-back estrogen/progestin replacement. If other treatments fail, a bilateral ovarian wedge resection or even oophorectomy may be considered.

CUSHING'S DISEASE.

Hirsutism is present in 60% to 70% of women with Cushing's syndrome. It is generally diffuse, mild, and accompanied by varying degrees of vellus hypertrichosis. Hirsutism, with or without menstrual irregularity, was among the presenting symptoms in 15 of 45 such women, and was the only presenting complaint in 11.⁹⁵ Overall menstrual irregularities are seen in 80% to 100% of women with Cushing's syndrome, and acne is present in 40% to 50%.^96,97,98

Excessive ACTH-dependent adrenocortical function, owing to either an ectopic ACTH-producing tumor or a pituitary tumor (Cushing's disease), can lead to excessive adrenal androgen secretion and hyperandrogenemia. Imura and colleagues did not note virilization in women with ectopic ACTH-producing neoplasms.⁹⁹ However, all of their patients were Asian, a population that is notably resistant to the development of hirsutism. In contrast, elevated circulating T levels have been documented in women with pituitary Cushing's syndrome.¹⁰⁰ An adrenal origin was ascribed to the increased androgen level, because dexamethasone caused a parallel decrease in cortisol and T, ACTH stimulation induced an increase in T that was more profound in women with Cushing's disease compared with normal subjects, and bilateral adrenalectomy dramatically decreased circulating T, correcting the oligomenorrhea and hirsutism.

An increase in the adrenal secretion of androgens may not be the only factor accounting for the hyperandrogenic symptoms in Cushing's disease. Patients with adrenal adenoma generally demonstrate low levels of adrenal androgens, particularly DHEAS.¹⁰¹ Nevertheless, these women demonstrate frequencies of menstrual irregularity, hirsutism, and acne similar to those of patients with generalized adrenal hyperplasia (reflecting increased ACTH stimulation).⁹⁷ Therefore, it is possible that an increase in ovarian androgen secretion may, in part, account for the hyperandrogenism of these patients. The role played by the increased insulin resistance and gonadotropin abnormalities often noted in patients with Cushing's syndrome in promoting ovarian hyperandrogenemia is unknown. Finally, a direct effect of long-term hypercortisolemia on hair growth, particularly on vellus hairs, cannot be ruled out.

Despite the high frequency of hirsutism reported among women with Cushing's syndrome, hirsute women are rarely diagnosed as cushingoid. As illustration, among approximately 1000 hyperandrogenic women with whose care the author has been involved, only 1 patient has been diagnosed as having Cushing's disease.

ANDROGENIC TUMORS.

Androgen-producing tumors, either ovarian or adrenal, are relatively rare. They should be suspected when the onset of androgenic symptoms is rapid and sudden, and when virilization and masculinization ensue. Steroid-secreting neoplasms are occasionally associated with other systemic symptoms, including weight loss, anorexia, abdominal bloating, and back pain. Suppression and stimulation tests (including corticosteroid, oral contraceptive, human chorionic gonadotropin, and ACTH administration) can be misleading and are not encouraged for the screening or diagnosis of these neoplasms.¹⁰² Furthermore, because computed tomographic (CT) scanning for the diagnosis of an adrenal neoplasm, or transvaginal sonography for an ovarian tumor, are relatively sensitive and noninvasive, there is little need today for adrenal or ovarian vein catheterization in the diagnosis of androgen-secreting neoplasms.

Ovarian androgen-secreting neoplasms occur in approximately 1 of 300 to 1 of 1,000 hyperandrogenic patients.^{103,104,105,106} They are usually palpable on pelvic examination or associated with a unilateral ovarian enlargement seen on ultrasound or CT. Functional ovarian neoplasms generally are not malignant, and they include Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors and lipoid cell tumors. Ovarian tumors should be suspected when hirsutism or virilization is of sudden onset and rapidly progressive. The diagnosis can be further suspected when transvaginal sonography demonstrates an asymmetric ovarian enlargement.

Androgen-producing tumors of the adrenal are less common than ovarian neoplasms and include adenomas and carcinomas. Adrenal carcinomas usually are associated with the development of cushingoid features and can be diagnosed as a large (greater than 6 cm) irregular adrenal mass on CT scanning. The prognosis for patients with adrenocortical carcinoma is poor. The frequency with which these patients present with oligoovulation and hirsutism depends to a significant degree on tumor histopathology. More differentiated tumors tend to produce higher level of androgens, whereas less differentiated tumors produce only minimal amounts of androgens.¹⁰⁷ Overall, adrenocortical neoplasias demonstrate less efficient steroidogenesis than normal adrenocortical tissue. However, because these tumors are frequently very large, their overall steroid secretion can be significant.

Because adrenal adenomas secreting solely androgens are exceedingly rare, most patients with an androgen-secreting adrenal neoplasm present with cushingoid features. Furthermore, physicians should keep in mind that signs and symptoms of virilization are encountered with equal frequency in patients with androgen-secreting adrenal adenomas and those with adrenal carcinomas.¹⁰⁸

POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME.

PCOS affects approximately 4% of reproductive-aged women in the United States.⁴ The disorder is one of the most common causes of oligo-ovulatory infertility¹⁰⁹ and hirsutism,¹¹⁰ and it is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 DM, endometrial carcinoma, and psychosocial dysfunction.

Patients with PCOS comprise between 60% and 80% of all hyperandrogenic women seen. Although there is no widespread agreement on the definition of PCOS, useful criteria arose from a conference sponsored by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in April of 1990.¹¹¹ Most conference participants indicated that the major criteria for PCOS “should include (in order of importance): (i) hyperandrogenism and/or hyperandrogenemia, (ii) oligo-ovulation, [and] (iii) exclusion of other known disorders, such as Cushing's syndrome, hyperprolactinemia, or congenital [nonclassic] adrenal hyperplasia.” Hence, the diagnosis of PCOS is established by the presence of hyperandrogenic oligo-ovulation, after exclusion of other causes of androgen excess or oligo-ovulation, such as NCAH, hyperprolactinemia, and thyroid dysfunction. The disorder may be evident as early as the age of 12 years.¹¹²

Pathologically, the ovarian cortex contains multiple intermediate and atretic follicles measuring 2 to 5 mm in diameter, which give the ovary its “polycystic” appearance. However, not all patients with PCOS have “polycystic” ovaries.^113,114 In fact, the sole appearance of “polycystic” ovaries, either on laparoscopy or more commonly at sonography, is not diagnostic for PCOS.^{113,114,115,116} Excessive levels of circulating androgens from any source will lead to the disruption of follicular development and the accumulation of many small, atretic follicles in the ovarian cortex, producing a “polycystic” picture^51,52 (Fig. 8). Phenotypically, 40% to 60% of PCOS patients are obese, predominantly demonstrating abdominal/visceral fat deposition. Although most, if not all, patients with PCOS have ovulatory dysfunction, up to 30% claim to have regular menses.¹¹⁰ In addition, PCOS may manifest as primary amenorrhea.^117,118 Although a majority of patients with PCOS demonstrate hirsutism, this clinical finding is by no means uniform.^{22,119,120,121,122} In one study, 19% of 32 consecutive oligo-ovulatory patients without hirsutism demonstrated increased levels of at least one androgen, suggesting that one fifth of these nonhirsute oligo-ovulatory patients have PCOS.¹²² Hyperandrogenemia was primarily observed among patients with menstrual cycles greater than 45 days in length, of which 38% had elevated androgens. Hirsutism is also relatively infrequent among Asian women with PCOS.¹²³ Patients with PCOS usually do not present with virilization.

Biochemically, patients with PCOS frequently demonstrate increased circulating levels of free T and a reduction in SHBG, accompanied by variable increases in total T.^11,124,125 Approximately 30% demonstrate an abnormally high DHEAS level, although rarely higher than 6000 ng/ml.^126,127 The prolactin concentration is usually normal, although as many as 17% to 23% of such patients demonstrate mild intermittent elevations (usually less than 80 ng/ml, depending on the assay) without any other apparent cause.¹²⁸ An increased LH/FSH ratio, exceeding a 2:1, is observed in approximately 60% of these patients.^129,130,131

Most patients with PCOS also demonstrate a variety of metabolic abnormalities. Most significant among these is the presence of insulin resistance, accompanied by compensatory hyperinsulinemia, which affects approximately 30% to 80% of these patients.^123,132 The “resistance” to the action of insulin in PCOS refers to the impaired action of this hormone on glucose transport and antilipolysis in adipocytes, in the presence of normal insulin binding.^133,134,135 The insulin resistance of PCOS appears to be associated with postreceptor signaling aberrations, although these remain to be confirmed. It should be noted that the insulin resistance of PCOS differs from that observed in type 2 DM and simple obesity. However, although the unique insulin resistance of PCOS occurs even in normal-weight individuals, it is further aggravated by the concomitant presence of obesity.

This resistance to the cellular actions of insulin leads to a compensatory hyperinsulinemia in PCOS, with the excess insulin causing an exaggerated effect in other, less traditionally responsive, tissues. These effects include androgen secretion by the ovarian theca, excess growth of the basal cells of the skin resulting in varying degrees of acanthosis nigricans, increased vascular and endothelial reactivity, and abnormal hepatic and peripheral lipid metabolism.

The increased insulin levels found in patients with PCOS appear to directly enhance LH-stimulated androgen secretion from the ovary.^136,137 The persistence of hyperinsulinemia in women who have been both surgically and medically castrated refutes hyperandrogenism as the cause of hyperinsulinemia.^138,139 More obviously, normal men have free androgen levels some 30-fold higher than those in women, yet they do not exhibit a greater prevalence of insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia. Increased levels of insulin also serve to decrease circulating SHBG levels, thus resulting in higher concentrations of free androgens.¹⁴⁰

The polycystic ovary syndrome has a strong familial component, appearing to demonstrate a multifactorial form of inheritance with a single dominant gene effect.^141,142 For example, if a patient has PCOS, her sister and her daughters have an approximately 50% risk of also having the disorder.¹⁴³ Therefore, patients should be counseled appropriately. Multiple attempts have been made to detect a molecular genetic abnormality. Although some promising associations have been reported,^144,145,146 no single defect has yet been found to account for the disorder in even a subgroup of patients. Finally, patients with PCOS should be counseled regarding their increased risks of developing gestational diabetes, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, endometrial cancer, and, possibly, CVD.

Idiopathic Hirsutism

Although IH is often referred to as “familial hirsutism,” this represents a gross misnomer. It is now well established that other forms of hyperandrogenism (e.g. PCOS) also demonstrate a strong familial predisposition. Therefore, it is misleading to regard IH as being solely familial, because this often translates to “untreatable” in the mind of the patient and the clinician. The diagnosis of IH is reached when an obviously hirsute patient demonstrates normal ovulatory function and, frequently, normal circulating androgen levels. Approximately 15% to 25% of hirsute women are diagnosed as having IH, depending on the extent of endocrine evaluation.^110,147 It is critical, however, to confirm the presence of normal ovulatory function (e.g. by using a basal body temperature chart and luteal progesterone measurements) in those hirsute patients who claim to have regular menstrual cycles. Up to 40% of these women actually are oligo-ovulatory.¹¹⁰

Some women with IH demonstrate excessive 5α-reductase activity of the hair follicle, which results in hirsutism despite “normal” circulating androgen levels.¹⁴⁸ The measurement of serum 3α-androstanediol glucuronide, a metabolite of DHT, may reflect peripheral 5α-reductase activity and help to confirm “hyperfunction” of this enzyme.^148,149,150 Nevertheless, the diagnosis of IH is usually one of exclusion, made when repeated measurements of free and total circulating androgen levels are found to be normal in a patient with hirsutism and regular ovulatory function.

History

The pace of pubertal development and its relation to the onset of hirsutism, acne, and/or obesity should be established. Drug or medication use and exposure to or use of skin irritants should be elicited. A detailed menstrual history should be obtained, with an emphasis on determining whether evidence of ovulatory function (e.g. premenstrual molimina) is present. The onset and progression of hirsutism, acne, balding and hair loss, change in extremity or head size, and changes in face contour should be noted.

A detailed family history of endocrine, reproductive, and metabolic disorders should be obtained. A family history of similar hyperandrogenic signs and symptoms is a powerful clue to the inherited basis of the disorder, although a familial association also may be noted in patients with PCOS, HAIRAN syndrome, NCAH, or IH. The cause of hirsutism can often be suspected from the history alone. For example, rapid progression of androgenization, particularly when it appears some time after puberty or in the menopause, is most suggestive of an androgen-secreting neoplasm and not a functional cause of androgen excess.

Physical Examination

Overall, it is most important during the physical examination to determine whether hirsutism or other hyperandrogenic features are truly present and whether there are signs or symptoms of related disorders. The type and pattern of excessive hair growth and/or acne should be noted and scored (Fig. 3). The excessive growth of vellus hairs, producing a “fuzzy” appearance, is termed vellus hypertrichosis and should not be considered hirsutism. Although a number of medical problems or medications can lead to vellus hypertrichosis, it is more commonly an ethnic variant noted particularly in individuals of Scandinavian or Mediterranean extraction. Furthermore, excessive hair growth affecting only the lower legs or forearms does not constitute hirsutism, because these areas are normally covered by a mixture of terminal and vellus hairs.

The presence of alopecia, acne, acanthosis nigricans, lipodystrophy, clitoromegaly, virilization and/or masculinization, pelvic and/or abdominal mass, abdominal and generalized obesity, cushingoid features, coarseness or bluntness of facial features, galactorrhea, thyroid enlargement, or signs of systemic illness should be sought and excluded.

If the degree of androgenization is severe, resulting in clitoromegaly, male-pattern balding, masculinization of the body (e.g. decrease in breast size, increase in muscle mass, loss of hip-to-waist discordance), an androgenic tumor or syndrome of severe insulin resistance (i.e. HAIRAN syndrome) should be suspected. The presence of cushingoid features (centripetal obesity, muscle wasting of the extremities, moon facies, generalized facial rubor, or purple-red abdominal striae) in association with hirsutism is particularly worrisome, because it suggests the possibility of either an adrenocortical carcinoma or ACTH excess caused by an ectopic ACTH-producing tumor or a pituitary tumor.

Laboratory Assessment

The laboratory evaluation should not be excessive or unfocused. For diagnostic purposes, at a minimum the levels of TSH, prolactin, and 17-HP should be measured, to exclude thyroid dysfunction, hyperprolactinemia, and 21-OH-deficient NCAH, respectively. As noted previously, screening for 21-OH-deficient NCAH can be done by measuring the circulating 17-HP in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (if the patient is ovulatory), preferably in the morning.⁶⁵ If the 17-HP level is higher than 2 ng/ml (200 ng/dl) and it is certain that the sample was obtained in the preovulatory phase, the patient should undergo acute adrenal stimulation testing. For this test, 250 μg (l vial) of ACTH-(1-24) (Cortrosyn) is injected intravenously and the 17-HP level is checked 30 to 60 minutes later. If the 17-HP level after ACTH-(1-24) administration is higher than 10 ng/ml, the diagnosis of 21-OH-deficient NCAH is highly probable; and if it is higher than 15 ng/ml, the diagnosis is established. It is unnecessary to rule out 3β-HSD- and 11-OH-deficient NCAH, because these conditions are extremely rare.

Levels of total and free T, and DHEAS may also be measured, although the added diagnostic value of these tests is probably minimal. The serum T levels are often increased in patients with adrenal or ovarian androgen-secreting tumors, usually to more than 200 ng/dl.^151,152 However, the use of this specific cutoff greatly depends on the particular T assay used by each laboratory and does not allow differentiation between an ovarian and an adrenal neoplasm. Furthermore, 20% to 50% of patients with androgen-producing ovarian tumors have T levels lower than this value,^151,152 and the majority of women with T levels higher than 200 ng/dl have either HAIRAN syndrome, hyperthecosis, or PCOS, and not a functional tumor.¹⁵³ In fact, a study of 478 consecutive hyperandrogenic patients noted that the level of total T had a very low positive predictive value for an ovarian androgen-secreting neoplasm.¹⁰⁶ Most, but not all, ovarian tumors can be detected by transvaginal ultrasonography.

Likewise, the predictive value of DHEAS as a marker for an androgen-secreting neoplasm appears to be low. Yeun and colleagues, based on a single case report, suggested that a DHEAS measurement greater than 6600 ng/ml was consistent with the presence of an adrenal tumor.¹⁵⁴ Nonetheless, these researchers emphasized the need for serial measurements of serum T and DHEAS, in order for these levels to be useful in the screening of virilizing adrenal adenomas. Multiple reports, however, indicate that androgenized females with adrenal carcinoma or adenoma can have normal or only slightly elevated DHEAS values.^{152,155,156,157} Surrey and colleagues noted, in a series of patients with virilizing tumors, that the circulating DHEAS level was greater than 7000 ng/ml in one patient with an ovarian lipoid cell tumor and not in their only patient with an adrenal adenoma.¹⁵⁸ Overall, the clinical evaluation remains the most sensitive marker of an androgen-secreting tumor, and the measurement of total T or DHEAS is of limited value and can actually be misleading. The diagnosis of an adrenal neoplasm is usually established by a CT scan of the adrenal, with images obtained at 0.5-cm intervals.

Patients with features suggestive of acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome, thyroid dysfunction, or hyperprolactinemia should be evaluated further, as indicated. If male pseudohermaphroditism or XY gonadal dysgenesis is suspected because of the presence of a blind vaginal pouch and/or abnormality of the external genitalia, a karyotype should be obtained.

Finally, if the diagnosis of PCOS is confirmed, an assessment of the patient's metabolic status should be made. At a minimum this should include measurement of the fasting glucose level. Although specific guidelines do not exist, it may be appropriate to also obtain a lipid profile and a glycosylated hemoglobin (i.e. hemoglobin A1C) determination every 2 to 3 years in women with PCOS who are older than 35 years of age, particularly if they have a strong family history of type 2 DM, CVD, or obesity.

The treatment of hirsutism should be undertaken as soon as the diagnosis is established. Although in young children or teenagers the degree of hair growth may not be alarming, one must remember that these disorders are usually progressive and the formation of terminal hairs is not reversible. Furthermore, the presence of hirsutism can be cosmetically disfiguring and can have a significant negative impact on a young woman's social and emotional development.

It is extremely important for optimum patient compliance to present realistic therapeutic expectations. The primary goal of treatment in hirsutism is to stop the development of any new terminal hairs. Generally, hormonal therapy also decreases the growth rate, diameter, and pigmentation of terminal hairs that are already present. However, it does not generally reverse the transformation of vellus to terminal hairs. Finally, it is important to emphasize that therapy for hirsutism may take up to 6 months before a clinical response is noted. Therapy for hirsutism consists of mechanical, hormonal, and surgical means. Any terminal hairs remaining after 6 to 12 months of adequate suppression with medical therapy must be destroyed mechanically.

Hormonal Treatment

Current hormonal therapy consists of drugs that primarily suppress androgen secretion (from the ovary, the adrenal, or both) and drugs that primarily inhibit the action of androgens at the periphery (i.e., the skin). Often these drugs are combined to simultaneously suppress production of androgens while peripherally blocking their effect.

SUPPRESSION OF ANDROGEN PRODUCTION.

Oral Contraceptive Pills.

The mainstay of androgen excess treatment is oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), which, by suppressing the secretion of LH, lead to a decrease in ovarian androgen production.¹⁵⁹ In addition, the estrogen fraction in the OCPs increases circulating SHBG, with a subsequent decrease in free T levels. Full hormonal suppression is usually seen within 3 months.

OCPs also decrease adrenal androgen production, although minimally, by a mechanism that is not yet clear but which may be related to a decrease in circulating ACTH. The progestin in OCPs can also compete for 5α-reductase and the androgen receptor.¹⁵⁹ Because the progestin in the OCPs may in turn decrease SHBG and increase free T, it is most important to select a pill with the least androgenic progestin (e.g. norethindrone acetate, ethynodiol diacetate desogesterol). OCPs should be administered in the usual cyclic fashion, and the circulating androgen levels should be checked periodically to assess the adequacy of hormonal suppression and stimulation of SHBG levels.

Estrogens and Progestins.

The use of oral estrogen (with a progestin administered in a cyclic fashion when the uterus is present) has been advocated for older hyperandrogenic women and those not tolerating OCPs. The doses of estrogen needed are higher than those required for regular postmenopausal hormonal therapy. Oral, but not transdermal, estrogen therapy increases circulating SHBG, decreasing free T. Estrogens also decrease circulating LH levels, with a reduction in gonadal androgen secretion, and potentially antagonize the effect of androgens at the hair follicle.

High doses of progestins (e.g. 20 to 30 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate daily) have been used for the treatment of hirsutism.¹⁶⁰ Progestins increase the clearance of T by the liver and may lead to a decrease in circulating LH. However, this therapy also leads to a decrease in the circulating SHBG concentration, which may reduce its antiandrogenic effectiveness. Furthermore, side effects may become unacceptable and include breakthrough bleeding, liver dysfunction, possibly vascular changes, weight gain, depression, and hot flushes.

Long-Acting Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogues.

A long-acting GnRH-a (e.g. Lupron—depot 3.75 mg/mo) is rarely required to suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in patients with PCOS. However, this drug is particularly useful for patients with severe insulin resistance and hyperinsulinism^{92,94,161,162} and for those with severe androgen excess and hyperthecosis.

Ketoconazole.

Ketoconazole, an imidazole antimycotic agent, is a known inhibitor of cytochrome P450 steroidogenic enzymes, specifically P450_ssc, P450_17α, and P450_arom. Therapy with 800 to 1200 mg of ketoconazole daily decreases hirsutism^163,164; treatment with lower doses (400 mg/day) is less effective.¹⁶⁵ However, side effects are common and include headaches, nausea, scalp hair loss, and liver function abnormalities. Treatment with ketoconazole may be considered for patients not responding to conventional therapy,^93,166 although its use remains experimental.

Insulin-Sensitizing Agents.

Because up to 70% of patients with PCOS demonstrate overt insulin resistance and hyperinsulinism with dyslipidemia, the administration of insulin-sensitizing agents, principally metformin and troglitazone, has been proposed for the treatment of this disorder. These agents have various potential advantages over traditional therapies: they correct both the metabolic and the endocrinologic aberrations of the disorder; they permit the resumption of normal endogenous ovulatory function, with little or no risk of ovarian hyperstimulation and multiple gestation; and they may possibly decrease the long-term risk of type 2 DM and CVD.

It is important to note that only small studies or preliminary data concerning the use of these agents in PCOS have been published.^{167,168,169,170,171} Conclusive data regarding outcome, patient selection, and risks and complications, while in the process of being collected, are not yet available. Data regarding their effect on hair growth in the hirsute patient remain anecdotal at best.

Glucocorticoids.

Dexamethasone (0.25 to 0.5 mg every evening to every other evening) or prednisone (5 to 10 mg/day) can be used as an adjuvant for the treatment of patients with significant adrenal hyperandrogenemia and those with NCAH. Corticosteroid administration reduces ACTH stimulation to the adrenal cortex, leading to a decrease in the production of morning cortisol and various androgens in hyperandrogenic women.^172,173,174 However, glucocorticoids alone appear to have limited effect on ovulatory dysfunction¹⁷⁵ or hair growth¹⁷⁵ in PCOS or NCAH,¹⁷⁸ and they may be associated with weight gain and osteoporosis. Nonetheless, glucocorticoids appear to be an effective adjuvant for the treatment of androgen-associated acne.¹⁷⁹

BLOCKADE OF ANDROGEN ACTION.

Drugs in this category include antiandrogens and 5α-reductase inhibitors.

Spironolactone.

SPA is an aldosterone antagonist and a mild diuretic. It also is an effective therapy for hirsutism,^{180,181,182,183,184,185} competing for the androgen receptor, 5α-reductase, and the binding of T to SHBG.¹⁸⁶ Furthermore, SPA blocks the action of various enzymes involved in androgen biosynthesis.^186,187,188 Initially, a dose as high as 200 mg a day should be used. If the dose is slowly increased from 25 mg to 200 mg per day, by 25 mg increments every 3 days or so, patients will develop a minimum of side effects. The side effects most commonly associated with SPA use include dyspepsia, nausea, polyuria, fatigue, headaches, and irregular menses. The incidence of metrorrhagia may be decreased by administering the SPA in conjunction with an OCP. Hypertensive patients already receiving a potassium-saving diuretic may rarely develop hyperkalemia when SPA is taken simultaneously.

Flutamide.

Flutamide is an androgen receptor blocker that appears to be as effective as SPA for the treatment of hirsutism, in doses of 250 to 500 mg daily.^189,190,191 Side effects include liver enzyme abnormalities, the appearance of greenish urine, and excessive dryness of skin or scalp hair. It has some teratogenic potential, as does SPA.

Cyproterone Acetate.

CPA is a strong progestin and antiandrogen and an effective treatment for hirsutism.¹⁹² It produces a decrease in circulating testosterone and androstenedione levels through a reduction in LH. Furthermore, CPA antagonizes the effect of androgens at the androgen receptor level. Side effects may include adrenal insufficiency and loss of libido. This drug currently is not available in the United States, and it is unlikely that it will be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), because SPA appears to be equally effective.

Finasteride.

Finasteride is a 5α-reductase inhibitor that is FDA-approved for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Finasteride may be useful for the treatment of hirsutism in women (5 mg/day),¹⁹³ despite a paradoxic increase in circulating testosterone levels. Teratogenicity (i.e. feminization of a male infant) is a major concern.

MECHANICAL MEANS OF HAIR REMOVAL.

Mechanical means, by themselves, do little to improve the long-term course of hirsutism and may actually worsen the problem. However, while awaiting the full effect of hormonal therapy, it is best to encourage the patient to maintain optimum cosmesis by either shaving or bleaching. Although shaving can lead to a blunt hair end, which may feel like “stubble,” it does not result in a worsening of the hirsutism,^194,195 and it causes little trauma to the skin. It is surprising how well shaving and the proper application of makeup results in a very satisfactory appearance. Recording the interval between shavings before each office visit provides a relatively simple way to monitor the efficacy of treatment.

Plucking or waxing should be discouraged because it may stimulate the growth of surrounding follicles, at least in animal models,⁵⁴ and may lead to folliculitis with the subsequent development of ingrown hairs. Excessive use of depilating agents, particularly on the face, can result in chronic irritation and worsening of the skin condition.

Electrolysis (i.e. electroepilation) provides long-term destruction of hair follicles, albeit slowly.^196,197 Efficacy ranges from 15% to 50% permanent hair loss¹⁹⁸ with repeated treatments, which may take months to years. Scarring can occur after electrolysis, especially if it is inexpertly performed.¹⁹⁹ However, hirsute patients often turn for assistance first to electrologists.²⁰⁰ Therefore, it behooves all physicians caring for these women to establish and maintain communication with the electrology profession, referring patients to those electrologists who are properly trained. It should also be noted that certification and training requirements for electrology vary widely from state to state.

Directed damage to hair follicles based on the theory of selective photothermolysis by lasers has been reported.^201,202 Various lasers have been evaluated for their effectiveness in treating body hair. High-energy ruby light was shown to be effective as a tool for removal of unwanted hair growth in 1979 and was introduced for this clinical use in 1992, with the free-running long-pulse ruby laser introduced for routine use after 1995. The mode of action has been proposed to be selective hair thermolysis, which implies that light is selectively absorbed in certain structures of the hair follicle. Grey and fair-colored hair should not be expected to disappear. Laser-treated hair follicles appear to go into telogen, which may last for up 2 years after treatment.^201,202

Peer-reviewed reports of the true long-term benefit of laser ablation in hirsutism are lacking, notwithstanding the fact that many dermatologists today are offering laser treatment in their practices as an “effective” means of removing body hair. In a 1998 study,²⁰¹ a single treatment with the normal-mode ruby laser (694 nm, 270 microseconds, 6-mm beam diameter) of six skin areas on the thighs or back was compared with shaved and wax-epilated control sites in 13 volunteers. Terminal hairs were counted before and after laser exposure. After a single treatment session, 4 of the 13 subjects demonstrated permanent hair loss when evaluated 2 years later, and 6 others had partial hair loss; in 3 subjects, hair regrowth was complete or almost complete.

Overall, laser treatment may be effective in permanently removing hair in some patients, although most women are likely to require multiple treatments. Nonetheless, it is still unclear whether hirsute women experience the same degree of therapeutic effectiveness as reported in nonhirsute patients, and further studies including these patients are required. Side effects of laser epilation include pigmentary changes of treated skin and burning and scarring of the treated area. Most current laser technologies have minimized these side effects with the use of more selective wavelengths and cooling devices attached to the probe.

SURGICAL TREATMENT OF ANDROGEN EXCESS.

In the past, ovarian wedge resection was used with satisfactory improvement in menstrual cycles,^203,204 although with little impact on hirsutism. Patients today rarely require this treatment, with the exception of those with suspected ovarian tumor and some patients with hyperthecotic or HAIRAN syndrome. Rarely are individuals so affected that a bilateral oophorectomy need be considered, although it may be applicable in some severely affected young girls who have little hope of improvement otherwise. However, these patients are very much the exception, particularly since the advent of long-acting GnRH-a. More recently, laparoscopic wedge resection²⁰⁵ or fulguration of multiple areas of the ovarian cortex^206,207,208 has been proposed, although long term follow-up information is lacking. In general, these destructive procedures should be used as the last line of therapy, because they almost invariably lead to ovarian adhesions. Furthermore, although they may improve ovulatory function, they have little impact on hirsutism.

Women with hirsutism require long-term follow-up, counseling, and emotional support, because these disorders are usually lifelong and progressive unless adequately treated. Most of these patients have PCOS, IH, NCAH, HAIRAN syndrome, or, rarely, androgen-secreting ovarian tumor (Table 1). The primary goal of hormonal therapy is to stop the progression of hirsutism. Hormonal therapy may also decrease the growth rate, diameter, and pigmentation of terminal hairs that are already present. A clinical response may not be apparent before 6 months of therapy. Because hormonal treatment does not reverse the transformation of vellus to terminal hairs, electrolysis or possibly laser therapy, may serve as a useful adjuvant. Encouraging the patient to shave or bleach, rather than pluck or wax, is also helpful.

TABLE 1. Distribution of the Various Causes of Hirsutism