Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of the hirsute patient

Most patients with hirsutism demonstrate hyperandrogenemia, which may be caused by polycystic ovary syndrome, nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, insulin resistance and, occasionally, neoplasms. In this review, current methods of diagnosis and recent advances in the medical treatment of hirsutism and hyperandrogenemia are discussed, including the use and gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs, flutamide, spironolactone, finasteride, and ketoconazole.