Hirsutism historical perspective

Hirsutism Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Hirsutism from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Criteria
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
CT
MRI
Echocardiography or Ultrasonography
Treatment
Medical Therapy Pharmacological therapy Non-pharmacological therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Hirsutism historical perspective On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Hirsutism historical perspective
CDC on Hirsutism historical perspective
Hirsutism historical perspective in the news
Blogs on Hirsutism historical perspective
Directions to Hospitals Treating Hirsutism historical perspective
Risk calculators and risk factors for Hirsutism historical perspective

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Rasam Hajiannasab M.D.[2]

Overview

Throughout the history hirsutism has been regarded as a syndrome of hair growth in women in a male pattern , obesity and menstural irregularity (Apert, 1910) . Other authors considered hirsutism as masculine hair growth only(Howard and Whitehill, 1937; Glass and Bergman, 1938). Hirsutism has been the most outstanding symptom in virilism and masculinization and also the major feature of adreno-genital syndrome which was introduced in 1905 by Bulloch and Sequiera.

Historical Perspective

Excessive hair often stems from what is considered the “ideal hair pattern” within the culture and society.

In the United States, “ideal” is considered as no terminal hair except for the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and pubis . The terms hirsutism and hypertrichiosis are sometimes used interchangeably. However, hypertrichiosis is defined as excessive hair growth, terminal or vellus, in non-androgen-dependent areas of the body. Hypertrichiosis can be congenital or acquired.

Barbara Vanbeck, a very hairy woman. Stipple engraving by G. Scott. Iconographic Collections,http://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/obf_images/d2/24/c55c7cfa155542ac698a3b0cba23.jpg

Charles Eisenmann - Transferred from en.wikipedia; transferred to Commons by User:Innotata using CommonsHelper.