Treatment and Management

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Hyperandrogenism, as a hormonal symptom of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and menopause, is primarily treated as a symptom of these disorders. Systemically, it is treated with Antiandrogens such as cyproterone acetate, Flutamide and Spironolactone to control the androgen levels in the patient's bodyy;12(3):205-14</ref>. For Hyperandrogenism caused by Late-Onset Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), treatment is primarily focused on providing the patient with Glucocorticoids to combat the low cortisol production and the corresponding increase in androgens caused by the swelling of the Adrenal Glands[1][2]. Oestrogen-based oral contraceptives are used to treat both CAH and PCOS caused hyperandrogenism. These hormonal treatments have been found to reduce the androgen excess and suppress adrenal androgen production and cause a significant decrease in hirstutism[3][4].

Hyperandrogenism is often managed symptomatically. Hirsutism and acne both respond well to the hormonal treatments described above, with 60-100% reporting an improvement in Hirstutism[5]. Androgenic alopecia however, does not show a significant improvement with hormonal treatments and requires other treatments, such as hair transplantation[6].

  1. ^ I. A. Hughes. "Management of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia". Archives of Disease in Childhood. 1988;63:1399-1404
  2. ^ D. Merke, S. R. Bornstein. (2005). Congenital adrenal hyperplasia. In: Lancet. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(05)66736-0
  3. ^ Burkman R.T. Jr. The Role of Oral Contraceptives in the Treatment of Hyperandrogenic Disorders. AM J Med. 1995 Jan 16;98(1A):130S-136S.
  4. ^ Mastorakos George, Koliopoulos Carolina, Creatsas George. Androgen and lipid profiles in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome who were treated with two forms of combined oral contraceptives. Fertility and Sterility. May 2002; 77(5):919-927.
  5. ^ Burkman R.T. Jr. The Role of Oral Contraceptives in the Treatment of Hyperandrogenic Disorders. AM J Med. 1995 Jan 16;98(1A):130S-136S.
  6. ^ Sinclair R, Wewerinke M, Jolley D.Treatment of female pattern hair loss with oral antiandrogens. Br J Dermatol. 2005 Mar;152(3):466-73