Hair Growth In Women Research Articles

Hirsutism in women

Excessive hair growth in women is usually a psychological concern, but it may indicate underlying morbidity. Nadia Soliman and Peter Wardle consider the options for treatment

Eflornithine Cream Combined with Laser Therapy in the Management of Unwanted Facial Hair Growth in Women: A Randomized Trial

Eflornithine cream is approved for the reduction of unwanted facial hair in women. The mechanism of action for eflornithine is reduction in follicular cell growth rate, while laser photoepilation heats hair and adjacent tissues to suspend growth. The objective was to assess the efficacy and safety of eflornithine or vehicle with laser therapy in the treatment of unwanted facial hair in women. Subjects were randomized to treatment with eflornithine on one side of the face and vehicle on the contralateral side for 34 weeks. Subjects received Nd:YAG or alexandrite laser therapy to both sides of the face at Weeks 2 and 10. Blinded evaluations included left to right comparisons and appearance relative to baseline. Fifty-four women completed the trial. From Weeks 6 through 22, eflornithine-treated sides showed significant reduction in hair growth. By Week 34, no significant differences were seen. Subject grading showed significant and persistent hair reduction through Week 34 for eflornithine-treated sides. The safety profile for combination therapy is similar to eflornithine alone. Eflornithine is safely used in conjunction with laser hair removal treatments and promotes more rapid hair removal when combined with laser treatment. Patients demonstrate a clear preference for treatment with laser and eflornithine.

Eflornithine Cream Combined with Laser Therapy in the Management of Unwanted Facial Hair Growth in Women

Eflornithine Cream Combined with Laser Therapy in the Management of Unwanted Facial Hair Growth in Women

A pilot study evaluating the efficacy of topically applied niacin derivatives for treatment of female pattern alopecia

Female pattern alopecia is a common dermatologic condition that manifests after puberty. The only approved drug treatment for this condition is 2% minoxidil for topical application. This pilot study examined the effect of topical application of two niacin derivatives, octyl nicotinate and tetradecyl nicotinate, on hair fullness in female alopecia. Sixty female subjects with Ludwig types I-III female pattern hair loss were evaluated in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled (40 active, 20 placebo) design using standardized 35-mm photographic analyses for assessment of efficacy after 6 months of application. The niacin derivatives demonstrated a statistically significant increase in hair fullness (P = 0.04 compared to the placebo). Whereas evaluation of hair growth in women is challenging, this 6-month pilot study demonstrated statistically significant increase in hair fullness on blinded 35-mm photographic analysis. Long-term topical application of nicotinic acid derivatives offers promise for providing benefit in female alopecia and warrants further study.

Topical melatonin has a beneficial effect on hair growth in women with diffuse or androgenetic alopecia,

Topical melatonin has a beneficial effect on hair growth in women with diffuse or androgenetic alopecia,

Cyproterone acetate for hirsutism.

Hirsutism is a distressing and relatively common endocrine problem in women which may prove difficult to manage. Cyproterone acetate, an anti-androgen, is frequently used to treat hirsutism, usually in combination with ethinyl estradiol. The objective of this review was to investigate the effectiveness of cyproterone acetate alone, or in combination with ethinyl estradiol, in reducing hair growth in women with hirsutism secondary to ovarian hyperandrogenism. The Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group trials register was searched (last search - 4 June 2002). The Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group register is based on regular searches of MEDLINE (1966 to 2002), EMBASE (1980 to 2002), CINAHL (1982 to 2002), PsycINFO (1987 to 2002) and CENTRAL (Issue 2, 2002 of the Cochrane Library) the handsearching of several journals and conference proceedings, and searches of several key grey literature sources. All publications of randomised controlled trials of cyproterone acetate with or without estrogen versus placebo or other drug therapies for hirsutism were identified. All randomised controlled studies comparing:- cyproterone acetate to placebo- cyproterone acetate with ethinyl estradiol to placebo- cyproterone acetate with ethinyl estradiol to cyproterone acetate alone- cyproterone acetate (with or without estradiol) to other medical therapies for treatment of hirsutism. Eleven studies were identified which fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Nine randomised studies were included in the review, and two were excluded because of insufficient information. Only one study had more than 100 women included in the analysis. The major outcomes included: subjective improvement in hirsutism, changes in Ferriman Gallwey scores, changes in linear hair growth and hair shaft diameter, alterations in endocrine parameters, side effects to treatment, withdrawals during therapy There were no clinical trials comparing cyproterone acetate alone with placebo. There was one small study comparing cyproterone acetate in combination with ethinyl estradiol to placebo. In this study there was a significant subjective reduction in hair growth with cyproterone acetate therapy, although the confidence limits were large. There were no studies comparing cyproterone acetate alone with cyproterone acetate in combination with ethinyl estradiol to treat hirsutism. In studies where cyproterone acetate was compared to other drug modalities (ketoconazole, spironolactone, flutamide, finasteride, GnRH analogues) no difference in clinical outcome was noted. There were, however, endocrinological differences in androgen and estrogen levels between different drug therapies. There were insufficient data to assess differences in side effects between women treated with cyproterone acetate and other medical therapy. Cyproterone acetate combined with estradiol results in a subjective improvement in hirsutism compared to placebo. Clinical differences in outcome between cyproterone acetate and other medical therapies were not demonstrated in the studies included in this review. This may be because of the small size of the studies, lack of standardized assessment and lack of objective determinants of improvement in hirsutism. The endocrinological effects of the different drug therapies reflect the mode of action. Larger carefully designed studies are needed to compare efficacy and safety profiles between drug therapies for hirsutism.

Spironolactone versus placebo or in combination with steroids for hirsutism and/or acne.

Hirsutism is the presence of excessive hair growth in women and is an important cosmetic condition often resulting in severe distress. Hirsutism is most often caused by increased production of male sex hormones also known as androgens. It is also affected by increased sensitivity to androgens in the hair follicles, and the secretory glands around the hair follicles, called sebaceous glands. Spironolactone is an antiandrogen and aldosterone antagonist used to treat hirsutism. Since 1978, many studies have been conducted to determine its effectiveness. The objective of this review was to investigate the effectiveness of spironolactone and/or in combination with steroids (oral contraceptive pill included) in reducing excess hair growth and/or acne in women. All publications of randomised controlled trials of spironolactone versus placebo and/or in combination with steroids (oral contraceptive pill included) were identified. Search strategy was developed by the Menstrual Disorder Group. All accessable electronic databases were searched. In addition, all reference lists of relevant trials were searched and drug companies contacted for details of unpublished trials. All randomised controlled comparisons of spironolactone versus: placebo steroids (oral contraceptive pill included)) spironolactone of varying dosages or spironolactone and steroids versus steroids alone when used to reduce hair growth and acne in women. Four trials were included in the review, seven trials were excluded. Two other trials are awaiting assessment. All included trials were small (no more than 31 participants) randomised and controlled. Only one trial studied acne as an outcome, the remaining three were concerned with hirsutism. One trial investigated spironolactone versus placebo; one trial was a dosage studies of spironolactone; one trial compared spironolactone with spironolactone in combination with dexamethasone; the remaining trial used topical spironolactone for the treatment of acne. Major outcome measures include the following: - subjective observations - Ferriman and Gallwey hair scores - hormonal and biochemical parameters - side effects - sebum production measurement All sample populations were small and confidence intervals were wide. There was no significant difference between treatments for any of the observed outcomes. The effectiveness of treatment for either acne vulgaris or hirsutism cannot be determined due to the small sample populations involved in the trials. Its value in clinical practice is difficult to assess from currently available research.

Androgenetic alopecia in women.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also known in women as female pattern hair loss, is caused by androgens in genetically susceptible women and men. The thinning begins between ages 12 and 40 years, the inheritance pattern is polygenic, and the incidence is the same as in men. In susceptible hair follicles, dihydrotestosterone binds to the androgen receptor, and the hormone-receptor complex activates the genes responsible for the gradual transformation of large terminal follicles to miniaturized follicles. Both young women and young men with AGA have higher levels of 5alpha reductase and androgen receptor in frontal hair follicles compared to occipital follicles. At the same time, young women have much higher levels of cytochrome p-450 aromatase in frontal follicles than men who have minimal aromatase, and women have even higher aromatase levels in occipital follicles. The diagnosis of AGA in women is supported by early age of onset, the pattern of increased thinning over the frontal/parietal scalp with greater density over the occipital scalp, retention of the frontal hairline, and the presence of miniaturized hairs. Most women with AGA have normal menses and pregnancies. Extensive hormonal testing is usually not needed unless symptoms and signs of androgen excess are present such as hirsutism, severe unresponsive cystic acne, virilization, or galactorrhea. Topical minoxidil solution is the only drug available for promoting hair growth in women with AGA. Efficacy has been shown in double-blind studies using hair counts and hair weight.

Pubarche induction with testosterone treatment in women with panhypopituitarism

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of T therapy in the induction of pubic hair growth in women with congenital panhypopituitarism. Prospective clinical study. Patients followed at the University Endocrinology Clinic. Four women with congenital panhypopituitarism, showing no pubic hair development, currently treated with substitutive therapy with L-thyroxine, cortisone acetate, and estrogen-progestin combination. A long-acting T preparation (25 to 50 mg) was given IM each month; serum T levels were determined before and after 12 and 24 months of therapy. Evaluation of pubarche stages (according to Tanner classification of stages). Patients developed pubarche (Tanner stage 3 to 5) after 3 to 18 months of T therapy. Testosterone levels were within the normal range during treatment. No hirsutism or other side effects were recorded. A cautious T treatment represents an effective and safe approach to the problem of pubarche induction in women with congenital panhypopituitarism.

Androgen hyperfunction and excessive heterosexual hair growth in women, with special attention to the polycystic ovarian syndrome

(1991). Androgen hyperfunction and excessive heterosexual hair growth in women, with special attention to the polycystic ovarian syndrome. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica: Vol. 70, No. 4-5, pp. 395-396.

Hirsutism — Beyond the Steroidogenic Block

Hirsutism is a common condition that presents unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, and the assessment of patients with hirsutism requires both clinical and biochemical evaluation. The former is relatively straightforward; the latter, however, can be a formidable process, as described in this issue of the Journal.1 , 2 Clinical assessment involves first distinguishing abnormal hair growth that is androgen-dependent (hirsutism) from that which is androgen-independent (hypertrichosis). Small amounts of male-pattern hair growth in women are normal. A woman is considered to have hirsutism when she has a score of 8 or more on the Ferriman and Gallwey scale, in which hair . . .

Management of hirsutism

Hirsutism is increased hair growth in women in a male pattern. Virilism has the added features of more severe androgen exposure and is usually accompanied by amenorrhoea. Acne can occur in either. Hypertrichosis is increased hair growth all over the body, usually of the vellus (lanugo) type. Most drugs used to treat hirsutism are unlicensed for this indication. Is it justified to use them for this purpose?

Alopecia and hirsuties. Current concepts in pathogenesis and management.

Hirsuties and androgenic alopecia are the patterns of hair growth in women which develop in a similar manner to that normally seen in men. This process is mediated by androgens. It may be due to increased hormone production or increased target organ sensitivity. The majority of patients with hirsuties may be adequately managed with a careful explanation of their condition and advice about depilatory techniques. Some will benefit from a course of systemic antiandrogen therapy, but hair growth will resume on cessation of therapy. There have been few objective studies to evaluate the benefits of antiandrogen therapy in female baldness and none with minoxidil.

Body hair growth in women: normal or hirsute.

The distribution and density of terminal hair growth in 19 different body regions in 113 women of fertile age complaining of embarrassing hair growth (group A) are compared with the findings in 100 normal women of comparable age (group B). Apart from three regions the former group demonstrated significantly more frequent and heavier hair growth than the latter. A stepwise discriminant analysis showed that the best separation between the two groups could be obtained by assessing the hair growth in the lip, chin, and public region. With this set of variables, four women from group A were incorrectly classified as belonging to group B and one woman from group B was classified as belonging to group A. The serum concentration of testosterone was significantly higher and the serum concentration of TeBG significantly lower in group A than in group B (P less than 0.001). Menstrual pattern, body weight, and hereditary factors in group A vs. group B support the impression that the increased terminal hair growth found in group A is due to physiological factors. From the present data it can be concluded that appraisal of the facial and public terminal hair growth should in most cases be sufficient for separating possible hirsutism from normal hair growth in women.

Effect of various methods of depilation on density of hairgrowth in women with idiopathic hirsutism.

The effect of various methods of depilation (shaving with razor and soap and with a so-called lady-shave; depilatory cream, depilatory resin) was studied in 15 women with idiopathic hirsutism. No statistically significant difference was found between the density of hairgrowth before, and that after, a single depilation or a series of twelve depilations. No change in activity of the hair follicle was observed four weeks after the last depilation.

Clinical assessment of body hair growth in women.

A method was developed for the semiquantitative assessment of body hair growth, and suitable for use in the study of clinical problems associated with hirsuties in women. Five gradings based on densities and areas involved, were determined for each of 11 sites. Findings from application of the method to a control group of 430 women (ages, 15–74 years) are reported. Hair tended to increase on the face and disappear from all other sites with advancing years. In younger age groups a significant amount of hair was found on the forearm and leg in most subjects, but a zero grading was much the commonest finding at all other sites. It is suggested that 2 factors may be involved: one of protective nature with main expression on the forearm and leg, and the other related to hormone levels or sensitivity, with clearest expression elsewhere. An “hormonal” score obtained by adding the gradings obtained from 9 of the 11 sites (excluding the forearm and leg) is being employed in clinical studies.

Effect of prednisone on abnormal menstrual function

Prednisone reduces or eliminates excess hair growth in women with “idiopathic hirsutism”1 or, a preferable term, “adrenal virilism.”2 While studying this phenomenon, we noted concurrent improvement in the menstrual status of patients with amenorrhea, menometrorrhagia, anovulation, and infertility. Intrigued by this desirable development, we treated women with menstrual abnormalities, with and without hirsutism, by this means, and the purpose of this paper is to report our observations.

Human body hair—A quantitative study

1.1. An attempt is made to develop a practical method for quantitative measurement of body hair.2.2. The importance of checking the observations obtained by this method on larger series should be emphasized. Such study will materially aid in an understanding of the normal variation in various ethnic groups or in endogamous groups in India or elsewhere.3.3. The results of the investigation show that: (1) excessive amount of hair growth on the thigh is perhaps the first sign of developing hypertrichosis in women; (2) the method is found useful in differentiating hypertrichosis from abnormal hair growth in women and may also help to set up objective criteria to evaluate the effect of treatment on hair growth.