title: The prevalence of androgen excess among patients with minimal unwanted hair growth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prevalence of androgen excess (AE) and the value of preemptive endocrine evaluation in women with minimal unwanted hair growth are unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 228 patients presented with minimal unwanted hair growth and a mF-G score of 5 or less. Total and free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, 17-hydroxy-progesterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, and basal insulin and glucose levels were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the patients, 54% demonstrated an AE disorder (50%: polycystic ovary syndrome, 2%: hyperandrogenic insulin-resistant acanthosis nigricans syndrome, 2%: nonclassic adrenal hyperplasia), 29% isolated oligoovulation, 6% isolated hyperandrogenemia, and 10% had a normal evaluation. Of the patients with menstrual irregularities, 65% had an underlying AE disorder compared with 22% of those with normal menstrual function ( P < .001). Of eumenorrheic patients, 11% had oligo-ovulation and an AE disorder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with minimal unwanted hair growth should be evaluated endocrinologically because approximately 50% of subjects demonstrate an AE disorder. Eumenorrhea does not preclude an underlying AE disorder, and ovulatory function should be assessed in these women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, Calif, USA.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Souter
authors.forename: Luis A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: Marilda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: Alfred A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Bartolucci
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Azziz
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016015:Logistic Models; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011336:Probability; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens