Idiopathic hirsutism: an uncommon cause of hirsutism in Alabama.
Fertil Steril
; 70(2): 274-8, 1998 Aug.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-9696220
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the prevalence of idiopathic hirsutism among a population of consecutive hirsute patients.DESIGN:
Prospective cohort study.SETTING:
University-based clinic. PATIENT(S) Premenopausal women with a complaint of hirsutism who were not receiving hormonal therapy. INTERVENTION(S) Evaluations for total and free testosterone, (T), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-HP), and DHEAS serum levels. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Ovulatory function in women with cycles of < or =35 days in length was assessed with a basal body temperature (BBT) calendar and day 22-24 progesterone levels. RESULT(S) Of 132 consecutive hirsute women studied, 68 had cycles of >35 days in length. Of the remaining 64 patients, 25 also had oligo/anovulation by BBT and day 22-24 progesterone level. Of the 39 patients with hirsutism and regular ovulatory function, 22 had total and free T and DHEAS levels within normal limits. CONCLUSION(S) If idiopathic hirsutism is defined by the presence of hirsutism, regular ovulation, and normal androgen levels, only 17% of consecutive hirsute patients can be diagnosed with the disorder. Alternatively, if idiopathic hirsutism is based solely on the presence of hirsutism and regular ovulation, regardless of androgen levels, then 29% of the total hirsute population can be considered as having idiopathic hirsutism. Importantly, 40% of hirsute patients with a history of "regular cycles" were actually oligo/anovulatory, indicating the need to objectively assess ovulatory function in such patients.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Hirsutism
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
Fertil Steril
Year:
1998
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Estados Unidos