33 HIRSUTISM General Discussion Hirsutism is defined as the presence of excessive coarse terminal hair in a pattern not normal in the female in areas such as the face, chest, or upper abdomen. This disorder is a sign of increased androgen action on hair follicles, which may result from increased levels of endogenous or exogenous androgens or may result from increased sensitivity of hair follicles to normal levels of circulating androgens. When evaluating hirsutism, it is important to determine whether hirsutism exists alone or whether virilization is also present. This distinction is important as virilization may reflect a serious underlying pathologic condition such as malignancy. Virilization presents with a wide range of signs of androgen excess such as acne, hirsutism, frontotemporal balding, amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, deepening of the voice, and clitoromegaly. The most common triggering factor for hirsutism is excess androgen production. Although androgens may come from an exogenous source, androgen excess is most commonly endogenous. The two primary sources of endogenous androgens are the adrenal glands and the ovaries. Adrenal causes include congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing’s syndrome, or tumors. Ovarian causes include polycystic ovary syndrome and tumors. Medications Associated with Hirsutism Anabolic steroids Danazol Methyldopa Metoclopramide Phenothiazines Progestins (especially levonorgestrel, norethindrone, and norgestrel) Reserpine Testosterone Causes of Hirsutism Congenital adrenal hyperplasia Cushing’s syndrome Exogenous pharmacologic source of androgens Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related Related posts: ARTHRITIS AND ARTHRALGIA HAIR LOSS INFERTILITY, MALE SYNCOPE Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel Join Tags: Instant Work-ups A Clinical Guide to Medicine Aug 17, 2016 | Posted by admin in PEDIATRICS | Comments Off on HIRSUTISM Full access? Get Clinical Tree
33 HIRSUTISM General Discussion Hirsutism is defined as the presence of excessive coarse terminal hair in a pattern not normal in the female in areas such as the face, chest, or upper abdomen. This disorder is a sign of increased androgen action on hair follicles, which may result from increased levels of endogenous or exogenous androgens or may result from increased sensitivity of hair follicles to normal levels of circulating androgens. When evaluating hirsutism, it is important to determine whether hirsutism exists alone or whether virilization is also present. This distinction is important as virilization may reflect a serious underlying pathologic condition such as malignancy. Virilization presents with a wide range of signs of androgen excess such as acne, hirsutism, frontotemporal balding, amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, deepening of the voice, and clitoromegaly. The most common triggering factor for hirsutism is excess androgen production. Although androgens may come from an exogenous source, androgen excess is most commonly endogenous. The two primary sources of endogenous androgens are the adrenal glands and the ovaries. Adrenal causes include congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing’s syndrome, or tumors. Ovarian causes include polycystic ovary syndrome and tumors. Medications Associated with Hirsutism Anabolic steroids Danazol Methyldopa Metoclopramide Phenothiazines Progestins (especially levonorgestrel, norethindrone, and norgestrel) Reserpine Testosterone Causes of Hirsutism Congenital adrenal hyperplasia Cushing’s syndrome Exogenous pharmacologic source of androgens Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related Related posts: ARTHRITIS AND ARTHRALGIA HAIR LOSS INFERTILITY, MALE SYNCOPE Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel Join Tags: Instant Work-ups A Clinical Guide to Medicine Aug 17, 2016 | Posted by admin in PEDIATRICS | Comments Off on HIRSUTISM Full access? Get Clinical Tree
