eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Diseases of the Adnexa

Hirsutism: Follow-up

Author: Basil M Hantash, MD, PhD, Instructor, Stanford University
Coauthor(s): Bobby Y Reddy, BS, MS, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jun 30, 2009

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

Outpatient follow-up care depends on the cause of hirsutism. Idiopathic or familial hirsutism can be monitored and treated, if desired, by a dermatologist or dermatologic surgeon. Women with hormonal or gynecologic causes of hirsutism should be monitored closely by an endocrinologist, gynecologist, or both.

Complications

Complications vary depending on the etiology of the hirsutism. Complications may result from the adverse effects of hormonal or surgical treatment.

Prognosis

Prognosis of hirsutism depends on the underlying cause and the type of therapeutic intervention, if any.

Patient Education

If determined, explain to the patient the specific reason why she has hirsutism. In addition, explain the various therapeutic options available to her.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

Failure to recognize the association of hirsutism with a major medical disorder or the possibility of missing an ovarian or adrenal neoplasm are the primary medicolegal pitfalls.

Special Concerns

A 2008 cohort study found a high prevalence of eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa in women with hirsutism caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Furthermore, women with hirsutism had high levels of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and poor social adjustment. Although a causal association remains unclear, hirsutism appears to be associated with eating disorders and other severe social and psychological conditions. Therefore, physicians treating women with hirsutism should consider screening these patients for psychiatric comorbidities during the management of their care.9

 
Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous Chief Editor, William D. James, MD, to the development and writing of this article. The authors and editors of eMedicine also gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors, Herbert P. Goodheart, MD,and Hendrik I. Uyttendaele, MD, PhD, to the development and writing of this article.



More on Hirsutism

Overview: Hirsutism
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Hirsutism
Treatment & Medication: Hirsutism
Follow-up: Hirsutism
Multimedia: Hirsutism
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

hirsutism, hypertrichosis, hirsuties, excessive body hair, male-pattern hair growth

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Basil M Hantash, MD, PhD, Instructor, Stanford University
Basil M Hantash, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Sigma Xi, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Bobby Y Reddy, BS, MS, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Leonard Sperling, MD, Chair, Professor, Department of Dermatology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Leonard Sperling, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Richard P Vinson, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA
Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Lester F Libow, MD, Dermatopathologist, South Texas Dermatopathology Laboratory
Lester F Libow, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Catherine Quirk, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Brown University
Catherine Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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