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Hirsutism

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“Severe hirsutism in a 17 year old female with PCOS” © Gacaferri Lumezi B, Goci A, Lokaj V, Latifi H, Karahoda N, Minci G, Telaku D, Gercari A, Kocinaj A (Licensed under CC-BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/


Hirsutism is when there's excess hair in a male-pattern distribution in women e.g. on face, chest, armpits. The most common cause of this is PCOS, but other causes include:

  • Idiopathic

  • Androgen-secreting tumour

  • Cushing’s syndrome

  • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

  • Medications e.g. steroids, phenytoin, ciclosporin, steroids


Main investigation to do is Serum testosterone.


Management:

  • Weight loss, Shaving, Waxing

  • Topical Eflornithine for facial hirsutism

  • COCP can be given



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