Prevalence of hirsutism in a Hellenic female population

Abstract

Five hundred ninety two Greek women, selected in random and ranged from 18 to 35 years of age, were evaluated by individual interviews based on a questionnaire and some of them by further hormonal investigations in order to estimate the prevalence of hirsutism. Hirsutism is rather common among Greek women with a percentage of 16.4%. Manifestations of androgen excess, especially of testosterone (T) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) which stimulate hair follicle and function of the sebaceous gland and were elevated in most hirsute women, can have significant effects on body image. There are strong family and racial influence on hirsutism and the body mass index, acne, menses and PCOS, are factors that influence hair growth in women.