Evaluation and treatment of hirsutism

Hirsutism is a common endocrinological disorder in clinical practice. The causes vary from simple idiopathic hirsutism to most complicated malignant ovarian and adrenal tumors. Most common cause of hirsutism in endocrine clinic is due to a disorder known as PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). Hirsutism poses embarrassment to the women. The purpose of this short review is to identify the common diseases associated with hirsutism, an approach to working through the differential diagnosis, investigations helping in diagnosis and the commonly available treatment modalities for the various forms of hirsutism. The review will provide the physician about the most efficient, cost effective and safe clinical approach to management of hirsutism.