35 citations
,
March 2012 in “Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes” The conclusion is that accurately identifying the cause of high androgen levels in women with PCOS is crucial and requires specific tests.
11-oxyandrogens are linked to excess hair growth in PCOS, but don't help diagnose it.
22 citations
,
January 2017 in “Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology/The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology” A new method accurately measures nine specific hormones in human blood.
22 citations
,
January 2015 in “The Cochrane library” DHEA may help with sexual function when used intravaginally by menopausal women but is similar to hormone therapy in other aspects and might cause more side effects like acne and hair loss.
9 citations
,
June 2014 in “European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology” Blood AMH levels are higher in women with PCOS than in those with other similar conditions.
1 citations
,
May 2013 in “Hair transplant forum international” Non-classical 21 hydroxylase deficiency is an underdiagnosed cause of female hair loss and polycystic ovarian syndrome.
32 citations
,
January 1990 in “Clinical Endocrinology” Women with female pattern hair loss have higher levels of certain androgens, suggesting increased androgen exposure to hair follicles.
23 citations
,
January 2001 in “Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin” New pregnane derivatives are effective at inhibiting an enzyme linked to hair loss and reducing oil gland activity.
18 citations
,
March 2020 in “Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology” The enzymes 5α-reductase and 3α/β-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase help create brain-active substances from progesterone and testosterone, which could be used for treatment, but more research is needed to ensure their safety and effectiveness.
June 2025 in “Journal of Kufa for Chemical Sciences” 3βHSD2 is not useful for diagnosing PCOS.
2 citations
,
December 2022 in “Metabolites” Hair analysis shows low progesterone in anorexia patients, unchanged by short-term weight gain.
1 citations
,
January 1988 Topical DHEA safely increases skin oil production.
July 2022 in “L Endocrinologo” A 77-year-old woman with hair loss had high testosterone and 17OH-progesterone levels, but no significant findings on imaging.
May 2006 in “Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology” Progesterone and its metabolites affect myelin protein expression differently in male and female rat Schwann cells.
December 2023 in “Frontiers in pharmacology” Progesterone initially worsens but later reduces neuropathic pain in mice, through different mechanisms.
41 citations
,
January 2000 in “Hormone Research in Paediatrics” Cortisone reductase deficiency can cause high androgen and cortisol levels and may be missed in women with similar symptoms.
5 citations
,
July 1994 in “PubMed” Finasteride, when taken daily, lowers dihydrotestosterone levels but doesn't noticeably affect adrenal steroid production, except by blocking the 5 alpha-reductase enzyme.
18 citations
,
January 1990 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Lower doses of dexamethasone can safely reduce high DHEAS levels in women with androgenic disorders.
7 citations
,
December 1971 in “European Journal of Endocrinology” Human hair follicles can process steroid hormones like DHEA.
64 citations
,
January 1998 in “Drugs” Dienogest combined with ethinylestradiol is a highly effective birth control that improves menstrual symptoms and has manageable side effects.
6 citations
,
October 1993 in “Endocrinology” Finasteride blocks progesterone production in specific tumor cells, potentially causing side effects.
11 citations
,
June 1979 in “British Journal of Dermatology” The enzyme system in hair follicles is similar to the liver's and is affected by certain inhibitors.
22 citations
,
May 1986 in “Clinics in endocrinology and metabolism” Certain finger length ratios and body hair patterns may predict side effects from birth control pills in women.
269 citations
,
May 2002 in “Hormones and Behavior” Lowering 3α,5α-THP in the hippocampus increases anxiety and depression in proestrous rats.
44 citations
,
February 2009 in “Pain” Progesterone reduces spinal reflex activity by increasing certain GABA(A) receptor subtypes.
January 2009 in “Yearbook of Endocrinology” DHEA therapy improves pubic hair growth and psychological well-being in young females with central adrenal insufficiency.
2 citations
,
January 2017 in “Case reports in endocrinology” Ashwagandha root improved symptoms of nonclassic 11-hydroxylase deficiency in an elderly woman.
18 citations
,
March 2002 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Estrogen increases blood vessel growth factor production, while testosterone blocks this increase.
September 2017 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings” Prostaglandin D2 increases testosterone production in skin cells through a process involving reactive oxygen species, which could be a new target for treating hair loss and other skin conditions driven by testosterone.
January 2026 in “Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM)” The procedure accurately measures 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone in blood, useful for standard tests.