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Suggest Treatment For Excessive Facial Hair
Question: excessive facial hair and front middle of hair thinning in 23 year old female
Brief Answer:
Increased testosterone levels or sensitivity
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for posting the question.
Excess facial hair (Hirsutism) and thinning or hair loss of scalp is due to either increased male hormones in body or increased sensitivity of skin to testosterone.
How is your menstrual cycles?
How long are you having symptoms?
The main thing in your case is to make the exact diagnosis and treat appropriately. The diagnosis to consider are
1. PCOS (Poly cystic ovarian syndrome) - A combination of menstrual irregularities, polycyctic ovaries in ultrasound and Hirsutism.
2. PCOS like conditions
a. Non classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia
b. Hypothyroidism
c. Severe insulin resistance
d. Hyperprolactinemia
e. Cushing's syndrome
Most cases are due to PCOS. You can consult and endocrinologist and have yourselves evaluated.
The common initial investigations we do are
Testosterone and SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin)
LH, FSH
Serum prolactin
DHEAS
17 hydroxy progesterone
Thyroid function tests
Other test like to rule out Cushing's syndrome are done in selected cases.
The treatment depends on the cause
The common treatment options are
1. Cyclical oral contraceptive pills
2. Anti androgens - Spironolactone and finasteride
3. Metformin
4. Local treatment - laser treatment, Eflornithine cream
All these medications are with effects and side effects. So start treatment only after proper evaluations from an endocrinologist.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help
With warm regards,
Dr Ajish TP (MD,DM)
Consultant Endocrinologist.
Increased testosterone levels or sensitivity
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for posting the question.
Excess facial hair (Hirsutism) and thinning or hair loss of scalp is due to either increased male hormones in body or increased sensitivity of skin to testosterone.
How is your menstrual cycles?
How long are you having symptoms?
The main thing in your case is to make the exact diagnosis and treat appropriately. The diagnosis to consider are
1. PCOS (Poly cystic ovarian syndrome) - A combination of menstrual irregularities, polycyctic ovaries in ultrasound and Hirsutism.
2. PCOS like conditions
a. Non classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia
b. Hypothyroidism
c. Severe insulin resistance
d. Hyperprolactinemia
e. Cushing's syndrome
Most cases are due to PCOS. You can consult and endocrinologist and have yourselves evaluated.
The common initial investigations we do are
Testosterone and SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin)
LH, FSH
Serum prolactin
DHEAS
17 hydroxy progesterone
Thyroid function tests
Other test like to rule out Cushing's syndrome are done in selected cases.
The treatment depends on the cause
The common treatment options are
1. Cyclical oral contraceptive pills
2. Anti androgens - Spironolactone and finasteride
3. Metformin
4. Local treatment - laser treatment, Eflornithine cream
All these medications are with effects and side effects. So start treatment only after proper evaluations from an endocrinologist.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help
With warm regards,
Dr Ajish TP (MD,DM)
Consultant Endocrinologist.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Answered by
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