HIRSUTISM IN FEMALES; A CLINICAL STUDY OF ITS ETIOLOGY, COURSE AND TREATMENT

Abstract

Normal human hair production is apparently the result of inherent qualities within each hair follicle, and endocrine influences. Hirsutism in [female][female] is often associated with ant. pituitary, adrenal cortical and ovarian disease, especially of neoplastic character. The majority of hirsute women, however, demonstrate no gross endocrine abnormality and are classified as "idiopathic." 29 cases of idiopathic hirsutism were studied. 24 required daily shaving; 23 had [male] pubic hair distribution; 11 had clitoral enlargement; 13 had menstrual abnormalities. The majority were obese. 19 had abnormal glucose-insulin tolerance tests, and the majority had normal or low 17-ketosteroid excretion. Three cases of idiopathic hirsutism including a balance study of one, one case of hirsutism with acromegaly, one case of hirsutism with pseudohermaphroditism, and 2 cases of transient hirsutism associated with pregnancy were reported in detail. Therapy was generally unsatisfactory. Thiouracil was used in 4 cases with little result. Idiopathic hirsutism may be due to mild hyperadrenocorticism in many cases.