Hirsutism

A condition observed in WOMEN and CHILDREN when there is excess coarse body hair of an adult male distribution pattern, such as facial and chest areas. It is the result of elevated ANDROGENS from the OVARIES, the ADRENAL GLANDS, or exogenous sources. The concept does not include HYPERTRICHOSIS, which is an androgen-independent excessive hair growth.

Networked: 1793 relevant articles (196 outcomes, 184 trials/studies)

Relationship Network

Disease Context: Research Results

Related Diseases

1.	Acne Vulgaris
2.	Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Syndrome, Stein-Leventhal)
3.	Hyperandrogenism
4.	Alopecia (Baldness)
5.	Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Experts

1.	Ibáñez, Lourdes: 9 articles (05/2013 - 06/2002)
2.	Azziz, Ricardo: 8 articles (12/2014 - 05/2003)
3.	Legro, Richard S: 6 articles (12/2015 - 01/2006)
4.	de Zegher, Francis: 6 articles (05/2013 - 06/2003)
5.	Kelestimur, Fahrettin: 6 articles (01/2013 - 05/2004)
6.	Escobar-Morreale, H F: 6 articles (11/2001 - 04/2000)
7.	Sancho, J: 6 articles (11/2001 - 04/2000)
8.	Carmina, Enrico: 5 articles (12/2015 - 03/2002)
9.	Franks, Stephen: 5 articles (10/2014 - 01/2003)
10.	Pasquali, Renato: 5 articles (02/2014 - 02/2004)

Drugs and Biologics

Drugs and Important Biological Agents (IBA) related to Hirsutism:

1.	Spironolactone (Aldactone)FDA LinkGeneric 08/01/1996 - "The present data suggest that both spironolactone and CPA were similarly effective in treatment of hirsutism. " 01/01/1989 - "Our results demonstrate that low-dose spironolactone is effective in the treatment of hirsutism." 08/01/2000 - "Spironolactone is effective and safe in the treatment of hirsutism. " 01/01/1987 - "Low-dose spironolactone is, thus, safe and effective in the treatment of hirsutism. " 07/01/1989 - "In a double-blind placebo controlled study of the efficacy of spironolactone 100 mg daily in idiopathic hirsutism we were unable to demonstrate objective benefit from spironolactone treatment. "
2.	Flutamide (Eulexin)FDA LinkGeneric 04/01/2009 - "Flutamide is very effective for hirsutism treatment; however, adverse effects are very frequent and associated with low long-term compliance." 08/01/1996 - "Treatment with the antiandrogen flutamide resulted in a particularly rapid and marked decrease in the hirsutism score, which decreased from 17.48 +/- 5.35 to 5.07 +/- 2.89 after 6 months. " 09/01/1990 - "Treatment with the antiandrogen flutamide (250 mg twice daily) and an oral contraceptive (Ortho 1/35) resulted in a particularly rapid and marked decrease in the total hirsutism score, which reached the normal range at 7 months. " 03/01/1999 - "Hirsutism greatly improved during flutamide therapy, and the hirsutism score significantly decreased at month 3 and 6 from a mean (+/-SD) of 17.19+/-4.55 to 10.75+/-3.84 (p<0.001) and 17.19+/-4.55 to 5.91+/-2.53 (p<0.001), respectively. " 01/01/2001 - "To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a low dose of flutamide (125 mg/day) in maintaining the clinical results already obtained using a higher dose (250 mg/day), in women suffering from hirsutism. "
3.	Finasteride (Propecia)FDA LinkGeneric 10/01/2002 - "In this study, hirsutism scores decreased significantly at 6 and 12 months in both groups I and II. Low-dose (2.5 mg/day) finasteride is safe and cost effective in the treatment of hirsutism and may be used instead of high-dose finasteride (5 mg/day) therapy." 11/01/1998 - "A significant improvement of hirsutism was obtained by finasteride; clinical score observed at the 6th month of therapy was reduced from 11.71 +/- 2.23 to 7.92 +/- 1.81 (p < 0.05) and from 14.92 +/- 6.13 to 9.3 +/- 2.75 (p < 0.05) in group A and B, respectively. " 08/01/1995 - "After 6 and 9 months of treatment, the hirsutism score improved significantly in the patients receiving finasteride, whereas no significant modifications were observed in patients treated with placebo. " 06/01/2014 - "Intermittent low-dose finasteride administration is effective for treatment of hirsutism in adolescent girls: a pilot study." 03/01/2001 - "We believe that Diane 35 plus finasteride is an effective and safe combination for the treatment of hirsutism."
4.	Testosterone (Sustanon)FDA Link 03/01/2007 - "At the end of the study there was a significant improvement of hirsutism, expressed in the decrease of the F-G score, accompanied by a decrease of testosterone and an increase of SHBG values. " 01/01/2006 - "At the end of the study there was a significant improvement of hirsutism, expressed in the decrease of F-G index, accompanied by an increase of testosterone and SHBG values. " 09/01/2013 - "Both treatment regimens induced a significant improvement in hirsutism score, testosterone, DHEAS, and SHBG levels. " 11/01/1991 - "Bimonthly treatment was equally effective keeping hirsutism in remission, although testosterone levels did not decrease. " 01/01/2013 - "Modified Ferriman-Gallwey hirsutism scores, testosterone levels and free androgen index improved (9.1 ± 4.2 vs 6.2 ± 3.4, P = 0.001; 80.6 ± 31.1 47.8 ± 20.3 ng/dl, P < 0.05; and 10.5 ± 7.4 vs 1.1 ± 0.8, P < 0.001, respectively). "
5.	Cyproterone AcetateIBA 01/01/1990 - "Cyproterone acetate given as a single intramuscular dose of 300 mg monthly for 6 months resulted in significant reduction of hirsutism without appreciable side effects. " 01/01/2003 - "The major outcomes included: subjective improvement in hirsutism, changes in Ferriman Gallwey scores, changes in linear hair growth and hair shaft diameter, alterations in endocrine parameters, side effects to treatment, withdrawals during therapy There were no clinical trials comparing cyproterone acetate alone with placebo. " 11/01/1978 - "The administration of cyproterone acetate can be effective in the treatment of 'idiopathic' hirsutism. " 07/01/1991 - "Cyproterone acetate for severe hirsutism: results of a double-blind dose-ranging study." 01/01/1987 - "In the present study a parenteral treatment regimen with cyproterone acetate was compared with the high dose peroral administration in patients with severe hirsutism. "
6.	Metformin (Glucophage)FDA LinkGeneric 04/01/2014 - "After 3 months of using metformin in normal weight PCO women, there was a statistically significant improvement in group 1 regarding, hirsutism, most of hormonal measurements. " 08/01/2002 - "There was a significant improvement in hirsutism at the end of the metformin phase compared with placebo: F-G score 15.8+/-1.4 vs 17.5+/-1.2 (P=0.025) and patient self-assessment 2.4+/-0.1 vs 3.3+/-0.3 (P=0.014). " 08/01/2000 - "In the PCOS group, metformin therapy improved hirsutism and menstrual cycles significantly more than placebo. " 12/01/2004 - "Evidence shows that metformin is effective in inducing ovulation, has some marginal benefit in improving aspects of the metabolic syndrome, improves objective measures of hirsutism, and seems to be effective in both obese and lean individuals. " 09/01/2003 - "The results show that metformin is potentially an effective treatment for moderate to severe hirsutism in women with PCOS. "
7.	Androgen Antagonists (Antiandrogens)IBA 07/01/1999 - "Antiandrogens are effective in the treatment of hirsutism. " 10/01/1988 - "Assessing changes in scalp hair growth may be difficult, however, and hirsutism provides a useful model for testing the efficacy of topical antiandrogens. " 04/01/2008 - "The relative efficacy of antiandrogens for the treatment of hirsutism remains unclear. " 01/01/2007 - "Antiandrogens are usually required for a substantial improvement in hirsutism score. " 04/01/2008 - "We performed a systematic review and metaanalyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of antiandrogens on hirsutism. "
8.	Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)FDA Link 12/01/1995 - "We have hypothesized that the greater degrees of androgen suppression achieved with GnRH-a therapy could result in a more rapid improvement in hirsutism compared to oral contraceptive (OCP) administration. " 12/01/1995 - "In summary, our results demonstrate that combination GnRH agonist and low dose oral contraceptive therapy is more effective than either agent alone in the treatment of hirsutism and avoids the hypoestrogenic complications that occur with agonist only therapy." 10/01/2000 - "In conclusion, our data show that long-acting GnRH agonist treatment of PCOS patients is effective in reducing serum and urinary androgen levels, but it is not accompanied by an effective reduction in hirsutism during a 6-month treatment period. " 12/01/1989 - "The gonadotropin releasing hormone analog is also effective in decreasing hair growth in women with hirsutism that is associated with excess ovarian androgen production." 06/01/2000 - "Studies suggest that addition of low-dose GnRH agonist therapy prolongs remission of hirsutism. "
9.	Oral ContraceptivesIBA 09/01/2008 - "Today, for the majority of women, a monotherapy with oral contraceptives that have antiandrogenic activity is recommended as a first-line treatment for hirsutism. " 05/01/2003 - "Efficacy of second versus third generation oral contraceptives in the treatment of hirsutism." 11/01/1991 - "A treatment to keep hirsutism in remission while minimizing lipid disturbances was attempted in 20 formerly hirsute patients with hirsutism scores already greatly reduced after oral contraceptives (OCs) treatment. " 01/01/2013 - "Management of clinical manifestations of PCOS includes oral contraceptives for menstrual irregularities and hirsutism. " 07/01/2010 - "Over a 15-year period spanning from January 1991 to January 2006, a total of 414 premenopausal women with hirsutism of different aetiopathogeneses received yearly reducing doses (250, 125 and 62.5 mg/day) of Flu alone or in combination with oral contraceptives for a period varying from at least 3 to 8 years and more. "
10.	AndrogensIBA 12/01/2005 - "Improved treatment of hirsutism awaits improved understanding of the nature of the interaction between androgens and other determinants of hair follicle biology." 09/01/2000 - "The aim of this study is to check the correlation between the occurrence and intensity of hirsutism and androgens rate in the serum. " 08/01/1992 - "This study evaluates the psychopathologic aspects of hirsutism and correlates these findings with the extent of the facial hirsutism as well as with the circulating serum androgens. " 03/01/1977 - " Percutaneous ovarian and adrenal venous catheterization studies via the femoral vein with analyses of the effluent blood for androgens is considered accurate and clinically applicable for the etiologic diagnosis of hirsutism. " 07/01/2015 - "Idiopathic hirsutism (IH) is a disease characterized by an increased sensitivity of the pilosebaceous unit to circulating androgens in women. "

Therapies and Procedures

1.	Solid-State Lasers 12/01/1999 - "We conclude that normal-mode ruby laser treatment is well tolerated and leads to significant improvement of facial hirsutism, which is maintained for at least 48 weeks. " 01/01/2015 - "The treatment of idiopathic hirsutism with 755 nm alexandrite laser plus topical licorice is more effective than alexandrite laser only. " 01/01/2014 - "Hormonal profile and efficacy of long pulse Nd-YAG laser in treatment of hirsutism." 11/01/2011 - "Regarding the results of our study, there is no significant difference between sequential treatment with diode and alexandrite lasers versus alexandrite laser alone in the treatment of hirsutism. " 12/01/2007 - "It is clear from the results in this study that the GentleLase alexandrite laser is more effective at reducing facial hirsutism in women with PCOS than the Lumina IPL. "
2.	Hair Removal (Depilation) 04/01/2014 - "Twenty-five women, referred for hair removal by electrolysis, were enrolled in a split face study to treat facial hirsutism. " 03/01/1990 - "Temporary hair removal in patients with hirsutism: a clinical study." 05/01/2005 - "These findings suggest that ways of making this method of hair removal more widely available to women with facial hirsutism should be considered." 12/01/2002 - "To assess all possible side-effects after IPL hair removal in a series of 49 females with facial hirsutism during a total of 390 treatment sessions of IPL photodepilation. " 01/12/1998 - "Additionally, hirsutism may be treated by epilation or antiandrogen therapy. "
3.	Semiconductor Lasers 08/01/2011 - "To compare the safety and efficacy of a low-fluence, high-repetition rate versus a high-fluence, low-repetition rate 810-nm diode laser for permanent hair reduction in patients with facial hirsutism. " 11/01/2011 - "The diode laser and alexandrite laser are considered effective in treatment of hirsutism in dark-skinned patients. " 04/01/1999 - "We report a case of pseudofolliculitis barbae and hirsutism with associated postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in an African-American woman who was effectively treated with the diode laser." 11/01/2011 - "Laser systems that are commonly used for the treatment of hirsutism include the ruby laser (694 nm), the diode laser (800 nm), the alexandrite laser (755 nm) and the Nd:YAG laser (1084 nm). " 04/01/2015 - "To compare the efficacy and side effects of Diode laser, Neodymium-yttrium aluminum - garnet (Nd: YAG) laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) on 30 female patients of hirsutism. "
4.	Lasers (Laser) 10/01/2009 - "Although laser treatment helped with her hirsutism, her other virilizing symptoms (deepening of voice, clitoromegaly) did not improve postoperatively. " 04/01/2015 - "Lasers are widely used for the treatment of hirsutism. " 01/01/2015 - "To assess the effects of interventions (except laser and light-based therapies alone) for hirsutism. " 01/01/2015 - "Interventions for hirsutism (excluding laser and photoepilation therapy alone)." 08/01/2011 - "Forty-two female patients with confirmed polycystic ovaries by ultrasonography with facial hirsutism were subjected to the low-fluence, high-repetition Soprano® XL laser in SHR mode and the LightSheer™ laser on each side of the face using preset parameters once a month for six sessions. "
5.	Aftercare (After-Treatment) 06/01/2012 - "After treatment, regular menstrual cycles were attained and hirsutism was significantly improved in all patients. " 03/01/2010 - "Before and after treatment, body mass index, waist/hip ratio, blood pressure, hirsutism, and menstrual patterns were evaluated. " 04/01/2009 - "Patients with high RBP4 levels had significantly higher hirsutism scores (P = 0.038 before and P = 0.034 after treatment). " 01/01/2009 - "Hirsutism score was measured before and after treatment. " 07/01/2005 - "Hirsutism score was decreased significantly after treatment (10.8+/-1.8 vs 7.6+/-1.7; P < 0.05). "