Psychoendocrinological Findings in Patients with Hirsutism

Abstract

Hirsutism, subjectively experienced as unwanted, abnormal hair, can be looked upon from very different points of view. The dermatologist is interested in hair follicle growth and considers hirsutism as a disease of the skin; the endocrinologist is interested in metabolism and evaluates the disorder by looking for abnormal ovarian and adrenal secretion of androgens. The gynecologist’s view is directed towards pathology and he or she wants to exclude or find underlying tumors of the ovary or the adrenal. The psychiatrist, finally, specializes in psychopathology and coping mechanisms and may study a depressive reaction to the symptom of unwanted hair or evaluate its effect on gender identity. In psychoendocrinology we try to take a comprehensive view of hirsutism, integrating these different aspects to arrive finally at a patient-centered diagnosis and treatment.