hair disorders
skin disorders
Hairiness
Doctors must determine whether the excess hair results from a disorder or is simply a cosmetic concern. In women with excess body hair, certain symptoms are cause for concern: Development of masculine characteristics (virilization) such as a deepened voice, increased muscle size, baldness, decreased or absent menstrual periods, and acne Sudden appearance and rapid growth of excess hair (over weeks to months) A growth in the abdomen or pelvis The sudden appearance of excess hair may suggest cancer. If warning signs are present, people should see a doctor promptly. If excess hair appears gradually without warning signs, people should see a doctor, but the visit does not need to be scheduled as quickly. In general, women without warning signs do not need to see a doctor if they have always had excess hair, they otherwise feel well, they have regular menstrual periods and no other masculine characteristics, and have family members who also have excess hair. Such women have excess body hair because it runs in their family. Doctors first ask questions about the person's symptoms and medical history. Doctors then do a physical examination. What they find during the history and physical examination often suggests a cause and the tests that may need to be done ( see Table: Some Causes and Features of Hirsutism ). Women are asked when hair began to grow excessively and where it is located, whether they have menstrual periods, and, if so, whether periods are regular. Doctors also ask whether women have had problems conceiving a child and whether any family members also have excess hair. Doctors ask people about all the drugs they are taking, particularly Anabolic Steroids and other drugs known to cause hair growth. During the physical examination, doctors note the pattern of hair growth and look for other masculine characteristics and for other features that suggest a cause. For example, a lump felt during the pelvic examination may suggest a tumor in an ovary. Men who have no other signs of illness do not undergo further testing. Women have blood tests to measure levels of various hormones and thus help identify the cause: Testosterone Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) Sometimes prolactin Ultrasonography and/or computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis is usually done to rule out pelvic or adrenal cancer, particularly if a lump is found in the pelvis or iftestosteroneor DHEAS levels are high. If a pituitary disorder is suspected, MRI of the head is done. If Cushing Syndrome is suspected or an adrenal tumor is detected with imaging studies, urine tests are also done. 