Derm: Hirsutism and hypertrichosis: Free MSRA Podcast

💡 FREE MSRA PODCAST – Hirsutism & Hypertrichosis Explained🪒 A focused revision audio on excess hair growth: causes, clues, and when it’s more than cosmetic.Key Learning Points🔍 Definition• Hirsutism: Excessive coarse, dark (terminal) hair growth in women, following a male-pattern distribution (face, chest, back, abdomen, etc.)—androgen-driven!• Hypertrichosis: Excess hair growth not related to androgens or male pattern, affects any gender, any site (not hormone-dependent).🦠 Causes• Hirsutism: – Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS; most common) – Idiopathic (often familial, increased follicle sensitivity) – Medications (e.g., steroids, certain progestogens, danazol) – Ovarian/adrenal tumours, CAH, Cushing’s, menopause• Hypertrichosis: – Genetic syndromes, some drugs (e.g., minoxidil, ciclosporin), metabolic disease, or idiopathic🧬 Pathophysiology• Hirsutism = excess androgens or increased follicular sensitivity: vellus → terminal hair in androgen-dependent sites• Hypertrichosis = NOT androgen-driven; unrelated distribution📈 Epidemiology• Hirsutism affects 5–15% of reproductive-aged women in the UK• PCOS: 5–10% prevalence in this group🧩 Differential Diagnosis• Distinguish hirsutism from hypertrichosis• Rule out: PCOS, adrenal/ovarian tumours, Cushing’s, CAH, medications, familial/genetic syndromes🩺 Diagnosis• Detailed history and exam (onset, progression, menstrual & family history, medication)• Ferriman–Gallwey score: quantifies male-pattern hair• Bloods: total/free testosterone, FSH/LH, 17-OHP, TFTs, prolactin, cortisol (if indicated)• Imaging: pelvic US (for PCOS), adrenal/ovarian imaging (if tumour suspected)⚖️ Management• Address underlying cause: treat PCOS, tumours, etc.• Lifestyle: weight loss (esp. PCOS, insulin resistance)• Cosmetic: shaving, waxing, bleaching, laser (not usually NHS-funded), electrolysis• Medical: – COCP (esp. anti-androgenic types: e.g., co-cyprindiol, drospirenone) – Topical eflornithine for facial hair – Anti-androgens (e.g., spironolactone—with reliable contraception) – Specialist options: GnRH agonists for severe cases, metformin (for PCOS metabolic aspects)😓 Complications• Profound psychological impact: low self-esteem, anxiety, depression• Underlying conditions: untreated PCOS (diabetes, CVD, endometrial cancer risk), tumours (life-threatening if missed), Cushing’s• Physical: folliculitis, irritation from removal methods📎 More MSRA Revision for Hirsutism & Hypertrichosis:📝 Revision Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/hirsutism-and-hypertrichosis-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/hirsutism-and-hypertrichosis-flashcards/💬 Accordion Q&A: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/hirsutism-and-hypertrichosis-accordion-qa-notes/🚀 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/hirsutism-and-hypertrichosis-rapid-quiz/🧪 Topic Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/quizzes/hirsutism-and-hypertrichosis/🎓 Dermatology Course: https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/dermatology-for-the-msra/🌍 For more free & premium revision tools, visit:👉 https://www.passthemsra.com#MSRA #Hirsutism #Hypertrichosis #MSRARevisionNotes #Dermatology #PCOS #Endocrinology #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQuiz #MSRAQandA #PassTheMSRA #FreeMSRA