discussion-presentation59

• Hirsutism affects 5% to 11% of women of reproductive age.
• The most common cause: increased production of androgens,

      increased sensitivity to androgens in the hair follicles.

• Androgens appear to induce vellus follicles in sex-specific areas to develop into terminal hairs, which are larger and more heavily pigmented.
• Hairs grow in nonsynchronous cycles, and the growth (anagen)

     phase, which varies with body area, is about 4 months for facial

     hair.

• It is because of the long hair-growth cycle that the effects of

     hormonal therapy require about 6 months for detection and

     about 9 months to become maximal.