RT Book, Section
A1 Ehrmann, David A.
A2 Jameson, J. Larry
A2 Fauci, Anthony S.
A2 Kasper, Dennis L.
A2 Hauser, Stephen L.
A2 Longo, Dan L.
A2 Loscalzo, Joseph
SR Print(0)
ID 1155955481
T1 Hirsutism
T2 Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 20e
YR 2018
FD 2018
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781259644016
LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1155955481
RD 2024/04/25
AB Hirsutism,  which  is  defined  as  androgen-dependent  excessive  male-pattern  hair  growth,  affects  ~10%  of  women.  Hirsutism  is  most  often  idiopathic  or  the  consequence  of  androgen  excess  associated  with  polycystic  ovary  syndrome  (PCOS).  Less  frequently,  it  may  result  from  adrenal  androgen  overproduction  as  occurs  in  nonclassic  congenital  adrenal  hyperplasia  (CAH)  (Table  387-1).  Rarely,  it  is  a  harbinger  of  a  serious  underlying  condition.  Cutaneous  manifestations  commonly  associated  with  hirsutism  include  acne  and  male-pattern  balding  (androgenic  alopecia).  Virilization  refers  to  a  condition  in  which  androgen  levels  are  sufficiently  high  to  cause  additional  signs  and  symptoms,  such  as  deepening  of  the  voice,  breast  atrophy,  increased  muscle  bulk,  clitoromegaly,  and  increased  libido.  Virilization  may  be  due  to  benign  hyperplasia  of  ovarian  theca  and  stroma  cells  (e.g.,  hyperthecosis);  it  may  also  result  from  an  ovarian  or  adrenal  neoplasm.