Biomaterial Database

Treatment of hirsutism and acne in hyperandrogenism. 2006

Paolo Moghetti, and Vincenzo Toscano

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, University of Verona, Ospedale Maggiore, P. le Stefani 1, 37126 Verona, Italy. moghetti@iol.it

Hirsutism and acne are common and highly distressing complaints in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Drugs are only partially effective on terminalized hairs, and removal of these hairs is usually required. Therefore, management of hirsutism is generally based upon a dual approach: a pharmacological therapy to reduce androgen secretion and/or androgen action, and removal of terminal hair already present. Ovarian suppression of androgen secretion with oral contraceptives is widely used in these women, but its efficacy appears limited. The most effective medical therapy for hirsutism is by anti-androgen drugs. Electrolysis and laser photothermolysis are considered the most effective cosmetic procedures, although the effects of these methods should not be considered permanent. Acne may be treated with different tools, according to the severity of the condition and other characteristics of the patient. These tools include topical and systemic retinoids and antibiotics, topical antibacterial agents, androgen suppression by oral contraceptives, and anti-androgen drugs.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D003131	Combined Modality Therapy	The treatment of a disease or condition by several different means simultaneously or sequentially. Chemoimmunotherapy, RADIOIMMUNOTHERAPY, chemoradiotherapy, cryochemotherapy, and SALVAGE THERAPY are seen most frequently, but their combinations with each other and surgery are also used.	Multimodal Treatment,Therapy, Combined Modality,Combined Modality Therapies,Modality Therapies, Combined,Modality Therapy, Combined,Multimodal Treatments,Therapies, Combined Modality,Treatment, Multimodal,Treatments, Multimodal
D003276	Contraceptives, Oral	Compounds, usually hormonal, taken orally in order to block ovulation and prevent the occurrence of pregnancy. The hormones are generally estrogen or progesterone or both.	Low-Dose Oral Contraceptive,Oral Contraceptive,Oral Contraceptives,Oral Contraceptives, Low-Dose,Oral Contraceptives, Phasic,Contraceptive, Low-Dose Oral,Contraceptive, Oral,Contraceptives, Low-Dose Oral,Contraceptives, Phasic Oral,Low Dose Oral Contraceptive,Low-Dose Oral Contraceptives,Oral Contraceptive, Low-Dose,Oral Contraceptives, Low Dose,Phasic Oral Contraceptives
D005260	Female		Females
D006628	Hirsutism	A condition observed in WOMEN and CHILDREN when there is excess coarse body hair of an adult male distribution pattern, such as facial and chest areas. It is the result of elevated ANDROGENS from the OVARIES, the ADRENAL GLANDS, or exogenous sources. The concept does not include HYPERTRICHOSIS, which is an androgen-independent excessive hair growth.
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000152	Acne Vulgaris	A chronic disorder of the pilosebaceous apparatus associated with an increase in sebum secretion. It is characterized by open comedones (blackheads), closed comedones (whiteheads), and pustular nodules. The cause is unknown, but heredity and age are predisposing factors.	Acne
D000518	Eflornithine	An inhibitor of ORNITHINE DECARBOXYLASE, the rate limiting enzyme of the polyamine biosynthetic pathway.	Difluoromethylornithine,alpha-Difluoromethylornithine,DL-alpha-Difluoromethylornithine,Eflornithine Hydrochloride,Eflornithine Monohydrochloride, Monohydrate,MDL-71,782 A,Ornidyl,RMI 71782,Vaniqa,alpha-Difluoromethyl Ornithine,DL alpha Difluoromethylornithine,MDL 71,782 A,MDL71,782 A,Ornithine, alpha-Difluoromethyl,alpha Difluoromethyl Ornithine,alpha Difluoromethylornithine
D000726	Androgen Antagonists	Compounds which inhibit or antagonize the biosynthesis or actions of androgens.	Androgen Antagonist,Antiandrogen,Antiandrogens,Anti-Androgen Effect,Anti-Androgen Effects,Antiandrogen Effect,Antiandrogen Effects,Antagonist, Androgen,Antagonists, Androgen,Anti Androgen Effect,Anti Androgen Effects,Effect, Anti-Androgen,Effect, Antiandrogen,Effects, Anti-Androgen,Effects, Antiandrogen
D000900	Anti-Bacterial Agents	Substances that inhibit the growth or reproduction of BACTERIA.	Anti-Bacterial Agent,Anti-Bacterial Compound,Anti-Mycobacterial Agent,Antibacterial Agent,Antibiotics,Antimycobacterial Agent,Bacteriocidal Agent,Bacteriocide,Anti-Bacterial Compounds,Anti-Mycobacterial Agents,Antibacterial Agents,Antibiotic,Antimycobacterial Agents,Bacteriocidal Agents,Bacteriocides,Agent, Anti-Bacterial,Agent, Anti-Mycobacterial,Agent, Antibacterial,Agent, Antimycobacterial,Agent, Bacteriocidal,Agents, Anti-Bacterial,Agents, Anti-Mycobacterial,Agents, Antibacterial,Agents, Antimycobacterial,Agents, Bacteriocidal,Anti Bacterial Agent,Anti Bacterial Agents,Anti Bacterial Compound,Anti Bacterial Compounds,Anti Mycobacterial Agent,Anti Mycobacterial Agents,Compound, Anti-Bacterial,Compounds, Anti-Bacterial
D012176	Retinoids	A group of tetraterpenes, with four terpene units joined head-to-tail. Biologically active members of this class are used clinically in the treatment of severe cystic ACNE; PSORIASIS; and other disorders of keratinization.	Retinoid