Laboratory testing for androgen excess includes testing for both ovarian, adrenal and pituitary hormones. Androgen drugs given for other medical disorders can induce androgen excess and should be stopped. The endocrine factors contributing to hirsutism and androgenetic alopecia are controllable, but not usually curable. There are a variety of drugs that can be used, but close patient monitoring, two to four times a year may be necessary to avoid unwanted adverse effects. All of these therapies have shown safety and efficacy, but are not FDA-approved for this use.
Hirsutism induced by androgen excess begins at puberty and is slowly progressive.
Hirsutism can also be induced by nonandrogenic drugs such as cyclosporin, dilantin, diazoxide, minoxidil, chlorobenzene, pencillamine and psoralens. These drugs induce hair growth in sites uncommon for androgen excess, such as between the eyes, on the forehead, and the upper anterior cheek and lateral forehead. In addition to antiandrogen therapy, physical and mechanical removal of unwanted hair can also be used as therapy. Currently Dermatologic surgeons, Plastic surgeons and private spas are using this technology to replace electrolysis since it is more precise and possibly longer lasting. The cosmetic management of hirsutism has specific advantages and disadvantages.