Abstract
Hirsutism is the presence of excess hair growth in women in the typical male hair growth areas, thereby reflecting a deviation from the normal female hair pattern. It affects from 5% to 10% of women, depending on age, menopausal status and ethnic background. The presence of hirsutism is very distressing for women, and subsequently may have a negative impact on their psychosocial life. In the treatment of hirsutism several options are now available, including pharmacologic regimens and cosmetic measures. Both the hormonal profile of the patient and her expectations and preferences should guide the therapeutic approach. The aims of the medical therapy are suppression of excessive androgen production, inhibition of peripheral action of androgens, and treatment of patients at risk for metabolic disorders or reproductive cancers. For other diseases related to endocrine abnormalities, such as thyroid disorders or Cushings syndrome, specific treatment is mandatory. After an ineffective local approach by direct hair removal, a pharmacological treatment should be suggested, using estrogen and progestin combinations, antiandrogens (i.e. cyproterone acetate, spironolactone) or both as a first line. Finasteride, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, and glucocorticoids should be used in selected cases. Adequate contraception is also recommended if antiandrogens are used. Unfortunately, since systemic therapy reduces hair growth in less than 50% of cases, hirsute women frequently require cosmetic measures. The use of a logical combination of different options has been shown to achieve a satisfactory result in most cases. This review provides information and suggestions about the current options of treating hirsutism.
Keywords: Hirsutism, hypertricosis, hyperandrogenism, antiandrogens, oral contraceptives, spironolactone, cyproterone acetate
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Medical Treatment of Hirsutism in Women
Volume: 17 Issue: 23
Author(s): F. Lumachi and S.M.M. Basso
Affiliation:
Keywords: Hirsutism, hypertricosis, hyperandrogenism, antiandrogens, oral contraceptives, spironolactone, cyproterone acetate
Abstract: Hirsutism is the presence of excess hair growth in women in the typical male hair growth areas, thereby reflecting a deviation from the normal female hair pattern. It affects from 5% to 10% of women, depending on age, menopausal status and ethnic background. The presence of hirsutism is very distressing for women, and subsequently may have a negative impact on their psychosocial life. In the treatment of hirsutism several options are now available, including pharmacologic regimens and cosmetic measures. Both the hormonal profile of the patient and her expectations and preferences should guide the therapeutic approach. The aims of the medical therapy are suppression of excessive androgen production, inhibition of peripheral action of androgens, and treatment of patients at risk for metabolic disorders or reproductive cancers. For other diseases related to endocrine abnormalities, such as thyroid disorders or Cushings syndrome, specific treatment is mandatory. After an ineffective local approach by direct hair removal, a pharmacological treatment should be suggested, using estrogen and progestin combinations, antiandrogens (i.e. cyproterone acetate, spironolactone) or both as a first line. Finasteride, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, and glucocorticoids should be used in selected cases. Adequate contraception is also recommended if antiandrogens are used. Unfortunately, since systemic therapy reduces hair growth in less than 50% of cases, hirsute women frequently require cosmetic measures. The use of a logical combination of different options has been shown to achieve a satisfactory result in most cases. This review provides information and suggestions about the current options of treating hirsutism.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Lumachi F. and Basso S.M.M., Medical Treatment of Hirsutism in Women, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2010; 17 (23) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986710791556005
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986710791556005 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Nursing Assessment, Education, and Care of Extremely Premature Neonates with Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Current Pediatric Reviews Third Generation Antipsychotic Drugs: Partial Agonism or Receptor Functional Selectivity?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Early Cerebral Infarction Following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Frequency, Risk Factors, Patterns, and Prognosis
Current Neurovascular Research IgG Dimers in Multidonor-Derived Immunoglobulins: Aspects of Generation and Function
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Immunological Side-Effects of Sedative Agents in the Intensive Care Unit
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Synaptic Inputs of Neural Afferent Pathways to Vasopressin- and Oxytocin-Secreting Neurons of Supraoptic and Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nuclei
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Evaluation of Two Recombinant Plasminogen Activators in Massive Pulmonary Embolism Model and Potato Carboxypeptidase Inhibitor (PCI) role in Inhibition of Thrombin Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor TAFIa in Lungs
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery Serotonin-2 Receptor Agonists as Novel Ocular Hypotensive Agents and their Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Action: Novel Drug Targets for Glaucoma Treatment
Current Drug Targets The Phospholipase A2 Homologues of Snake Venoms: Biological Activities and Their Possible Adaptive Roles
Protein & Peptide Letters New Concepts for Glaucoma Implants - Controlled Aqueous Humor Drainage, Encapsulation Prevention and Local Drug Delivery
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Cardiovascular Considerations of Remdesivir and Favipiravir in the Treatment of COVID-19
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Update in Glaucoma Medicinal Chemistry: Emerging Evidence for the Importance of Melatonin Analogues
Current Medicinal Chemistry Medical Treatment of Overactive Bladder: An Overview
Current Clinical Pharmacology Overcoming Drug Resistance by Enhancing Apoptosis of Tumor Cells
Current Cancer Drug Targets Recent Highlights on Molecular Hybrids Potentially Useful in Central Nervous System Disorders
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacological and Clinical Applications of Natriuretic Peptides: Accepted Knowledges or Changing Views?
Current Pharmaceutical Analysis Clinical and Pharmacological Aspects of Inflammatory Demyelinating Diseases in Childhood: An Update
Current Neuropharmacology The Development of Medications for Alcohol-Use Disorders Targeting the GABAB Receptor System
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) The Role of Natural Products in the Discovery of New Drug Candidates for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders I: Parkinsons Disease
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Glucocorticoid Receptor Antagonists
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry