Disorders of Excessive Hair Growth in Adolescents

March 2000 in “ Obstetrics and gynecology clinics of North America ”

Leo Plouffe

hirsutism hormonal activity pilosebaceous unit virilization

TLDR Hirsutism in teen girls is common, usually harmless, but can sometimes signal serious issues and is treatable.

The document discussed hirsutism in adolescent females, highlighting that it often reflected significant hormonal activity at the pilosebaceous unit. While benign conditions were usually the cause, serious and life-threatening conditions could also present as hirsutism or virilization. Various effective therapies were available for treatment.

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Research cited in this study

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research Efficacy of Low-Dose GnRH Analogue (Buserelin) in the Treatment of Hirsutism

3 citations , July 2009 in “Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes”

Low-dose Buserelin effectively reduces hirsutism with minimal side effects.

research Treatment of Hirsutism: Comparisons Between Different Antiandrogens with Central and Peripheral Effects

75 citations , March 1999 in “Fertility and sterility”

Finasteride, CPA, and flutamide are all equally effective in reducing excessive hair growth in women.

research Principles of Hair Cycle Control

109 citations , December 1998 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

Manipulating the catagen and telogen phases of hair growth could lead to treatments for hair disorders.

research Effect of Finasteride in Idiopathic Hirsutism

27 citations , November 1998 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation”

Finasteride significantly reduces hair growth in women with idiopathic hirsutism.

research Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Unselected Black and White Women of the Southeastern United States: A Prospective Study

633 citations , September 1998 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

PCOS affects a similar percentage of Black and White women in the Southeastern United States.

research Androgen Receptor Polymorphisms (CAG Repeat Lengths) in Androgenetic Alopecia, Hirsutism, and Acne

186 citations , July 1998 in “Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

Shorter CAG repeats may cause hair and skin issues, while longer ones may link to acne.

research Ruby Laser Treatment for Hirsutism: Clinical Response and Patient Tolerance

52 citations , June 1998 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

Ruby laser treatment is effective and well-tolerated for reducing hair growth.

research Comparison of Cyproterone Acetate Plus Ethinyl Estradiol and Finasteride in the Treatment of Hirsutism

49 citations , June 1998 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation”

Cyproterone acetate plus ethinyl estradiol is generally more effective in treating hirsutism, but consider side effects and patient characteristics.

research Comparison of Finasteride Versus Spironolactone in the Treatment of Idiopathic Hirsutism

76 citations , December 1997 in “Fertility and Sterility”

Finasteride reduces hair growth better, but spironolactone has more side effects.

research Laser-Assisted Hair Removal

91 citations , July 1997 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Laser hair removal is an advanced and effective method for removing unwanted hair.

Gonadotrophin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Therapy for Hirsutism Is as Effective as High Dose Cyproterone Acetate but Results in a Longer Remission

research Gonadotrophin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Therapy for Hirsutism Is as Effective as High Dose Cyproterone Acetate but Results in a Longer Remission

49 citations , April 1997 in “Human reproduction”

Hormone therapy for excessive hair growth is as good with GnRHa as with high-dose CPA, but GnRHa has longer-lasting results.

research Carriers of 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency Are Not at Increased Risk for Hyperandrogenism

31 citations , February 1997 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

People who carry the 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency gene are not more likely to have excessive male hormone levels.

research Treatment of Hirsutism by Finasteride and Flutamide in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

38 citations , January 1997 in “Gynecological Endocrinology”

Finasteride and flutamide effectively reduce hirsutism in PCOS women, with flutamide also lowering hormone levels.

Outcome of Long-Term Treatment with the 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride in Idiopathic Hirsutism: Clinical and Hormonal Effects During a 1-Year Course of Therapy and 1-Year Follow-Up

research Outcome of Long-Term Treatment with the 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride in Idiopathic Hirsutism: Clinical and Hormonal Effects During a 1-Year Course of Therapy and 1-Year Follow-Up

75 citations , November 1996 in “Fertility and Sterility”

Finasteride effectively reduces hair growth in women with idiopathic hirsutism, but requires careful contraception during treatment.

research Predominant Expression of 5 Alpha-Reductase Type 1 in Pubic Skin from Normal Subjects and Hirsute Patients

11 citations , May 1996 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

The main enzyme found in pubic skin that could be targeted to treat excessive hair growth is 5 alpha-R2.

research Hirsutism in the United Arab Emirates: A Hospital Study

24 citations , March 1996 in “Postgraduate Medical Journal”

Most women with hirsutism in the UAE have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

research Leuprolide and Estrogen Versus Oral Contraceptive Pills for the Treatment of Hirsutism: A Prospective Randomized Study

74 citations , December 1995 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

Leuprolide plus estrogen is more effective than oral contraceptives for reducing hirsutism.

research Comparison of a Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist and a Low Dose Oral Contraceptive Given Alone or Together in the Treatment of Hirsutism

62 citations , December 1995 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

Combining a GnRH agonist with a low-dose oral contraceptive is more effective and safer for treating hirsutism than using either alone.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Flutamide Alone and Combined with an Oral Contraceptive for the Treatment of Idiopathic Hirsutism

research Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Flutamide Alone and Combined with an Oral Contraceptive for the Treatment of Idiopathic Hirsutism

36 citations , November 1995 in “Clinical endocrinology”

Low-dose flutamide helps reduce excessive hair growth and is even more effective with birth control, without bad effects on blood fats.

research Electrolysis: Observations from 13 Years and 140,000 Hours of Experience

132 citations , October 1995 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Electrolysis is effective for permanent hair removal, but technique is key to avoid scarring, and sometimes hormonal treatment is needed for women with hirsutism.

research Clinical and Endocrine Effects of Finasteride, a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, in Women with Idiopathic Hirsutism

70 citations , August 1995 in “Fertility and Sterility”

Finasteride reduces hairiness and androgen levels in women with unexplained excessive hair growth.

research The Role of Oral Contraceptives in the Treatment of Hyperandrogenic Disorders

57 citations , January 1995 in “The American journal of medicine”

Oral contraceptives help treat hyperandrogenic disorders, improving symptoms like excessive hair and acne.

research A Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Finasteride to Spironolactone in the Treatment of Hirsute Women

52 citations , January 1995 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride and spironolactone both reduce hirsutism, but finasteride lowers androgen levels more.

research Clinical Relevance of Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone Metabolism in Women

31 citations , January 1995 in “The American journal of medicine”

Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone play a role in women's health issues like excess hair and baldness, and treatments blocking these hormones may help.

Sequential Estrogen-Progestin Addition to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Suppression for the Chronic Treatment of Ovarian Hyperandrogenism: A Pilot Study

research Sequential Estrogen-Progestin Addition to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Suppression for the Chronic Treatment of Ovarian Hyperandrogenism: A Pilot Study

2 citations , December 1994 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

The treatment effectively reduced hair growth and was safe for patients with PCOS, but it needs better bleeding control.

A Prospective Study of the Prevalence of Clear-Cut Endocrine Disorders and Polycystic Ovaries in 350 Patients Presenting with Hirsutism or Androgenic Alopecia

research A Prospective Study of the Prevalence of Clear-Cut Endocrine Disorders and Polycystic Ovaries in 350 Patients Presenting with Hirsutism or Androgenic Alopecia

135 citations , August 1994 in “Clinical Endocrinology”

Most women with hirsutism or androgenic alopecia had polycystic ovaries, especially if they had irregular periods.

research Drug-Induced Hair Loss and Hair Growth

147 citations , April 1994 in “Drug Safety”

Some drugs can cause hair loss or increase hair growth, but these effects are usually reversible when the drug is stopped.