43 citations
,
January 2007 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” Finasteride improves acne and hair loss in women with normal testosterone.
1 citations
,
November 2025 in “Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM)” A new method accurately measures DHEAS in blood, improving on current tests.
6 citations
,
August 1996 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” MK-386 and finasteride together effectively reduce DHT levels, potentially treating acne and male pattern baldness.
491 citations
,
July 2000 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Polycystic ovary syndrome is found in 6.5% of unselected Caucasian women in Spain.
305 citations
,
February 2007 in “Hormone and metabolic research” Human skin makes sexual hormones that affect hair growth, skin health, and healing; too much can cause acne and hair loss, while treatments can manage these conditions.
118 citations
,
September 2004 in “Clinics in Dermatology” Hormones, especially androgens, play a big role in acne, but most acne sufferers don't have a hormone disorder. Hormonal treatments, including birth control pills, can be very effective for women whose acne doesn't improve with regular treatments.
50 citations
,
March 2011 in “European Journal of Endocrinology” Spironolactone improved blood vessel function and cholesterol levels in non-obese women with PCOS.
43 citations
,
May 1988 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Patients with acanthosis nigricans often have insulin resistance and signs of increased male hormones, but treatment targeting these male hormones is generally ineffective.
42 citations
,
July 2015 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” The conclusion is that oral contraceptives and antiandrogens can treat hirsutism and acne in women with cutaneous hyperandrogenism, but more research is needed for effective treatments, especially for hair loss.
34 citations
,
December 1991 in “Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences” The conclusion is that small hair follicles cause baldness in macaques, and treatments like antiandrogens and minoxidil can prevent hair loss and promote regrowth.
24 citations
,
April 2021 in “BMC women's health” High BMI worsens hair growth in women with PCOS.
23 citations
,
July 1989 in “Postgraduate medical journal” Spironolactone did not make hair thinner in women with excess hair growth.
20 citations
,
July 2009 in “Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes” Cyclosporin A does not change sex hormone levels.
18 citations
,
May 1992 in “American Journal of Biological Anthropology” Higher androgen levels do not cause baldness in men.
6 citations
,
April 1989 in “The American Journal of the Medical Sciences” Glucocorticoids can cause long-term loss of body hair by lowering adrenal androgens.
2 citations
,
September 2008 in “Fertility and Sterility” Clinical signs of excess male hormones and actual hormone levels in the blood do not always match in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
1 citations
,
October 2010 in “Cambridge University Press eBooks” Hormonal therapies are effective for managing hair and skin symptoms in women with PCOS.
February 2005 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Metabolic syndrome can cause serious health issues and should be considered when treating women with severe acne.
March 2026 in “Journal of Pakistan Association of Dermatologists” Many women with PCOS have hair loss, linked to age, hirsutism, sleep issues, and smoking.
150 citations
,
November 2007 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” About 2.2% of women with symptoms of high male hormones have a mild form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and measuring a specific hormone level can accurately diagnose it.
124 citations
,
August 1990 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Diffuse alopecia in women may be related to androgens and iron deficiency, and basic hormone and nutrient screening is useful.
117 citations
,
May 2017 in “Human Reproduction Update” The update highlights that non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia is common in women with excess male hormones, requires specific hormone tests for diagnosis, and has various treatment options depending on age and symptoms.
25 citations
,
November 2015 in “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” Certain Chinese herbs, especially Cacumen platycladi, can promote hair regrowth and reduce hair loss-related hormone levels in mice.
23 citations
,
August 2005 in “Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy” New treatments for low male hormones improved sexual function and mood but had unclear risks, especially for older men.
19 citations
,
October 2004 in “Best Practice & Research in Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology” The diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) requires a detailed patient history, ultrasound scanning, hormone level checks, and assessments of ovulation, obesity, and insulin resistance. It's a variable condition that needs individualized management and is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
17 citations
,
April 2010 in “Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics” Obese women had more testosterone and less acne, but similar hair growth compared to non-obese women.
17 citations
,
December 2008 in “Dermatology” Taking metformin with intense-pulsed-light therapy improves hair removal for people with PCOS.
16 citations
,
March 2015 in “Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift” Vitamin D deficiency is common in women with PCOS and linked to some metabolic problems, but not the main cause of their metabolic issues.
15 citations
,
October 2011 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” Obesity changes androgen levels in women with PCOS, leading to higher testosterone relative to androstenedione.
14 citations
,
September 1986 in “Archives of Dermatology” Women with low SHBG levels and a high 3a-diol G to SHBG ratio are likely to experience female pattern baldness, possibly due to a slight excess of androgens affecting sensitive hair bulbs.