Abstract
Androgenic disorders have many negative physical effects. These effects may be caused by excess androgen (exogenous or endogenous) or by end-organ sensitivity to normal levels of androgens.
The most apparent signs of androgen excess are the external manifestations, including: oily skin, acne, hirsutism, android obesity, and androgenic alopecia. Of equal concern are the potential metabolic disturbances associated with hyperandrogenicity.
Hirsutism is pathologic growth and distribution of hair in women in response to androgen stimulation of pilosebaceous unit. Incidence in women is about 5-10 %.
Hyperandrogenism must be considered in any girl with premature pubarche. An association with menstrual irregularity or obesity in a teenage girl is the most common causes of functional ovarian hyperandrogenism, one manifestation of which is polycystic ovary syndrome, and functional adrenal hyperandrogenism, which usually seems to be due to an exaggeration of adrenarche.
The plasma testosterone/free testosterone is a more sensitive indicator of hyperandrogenism. Optimal therapeutic program is designed for many patients, including oral contraceptives, low-dose glucocorticoids, and antiandrogens.
Treatment should be chosen according to the patient's symptoms and source of androgens and should be combined with traditional therapy for the specific dermatologic and cosmetologic disorder.