Doctors' Answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" - Choosing a Specialist


These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.

Determining Which Specialist is Appropriate [posted 10/21/98]
Question: I am entering menopause and starting to get facial hair. Would you recommend that I see an OB/GYN, an endocrinologist, or a dermatologist?

Answer: Well, there are two questions-1. Is there excessive steroid production, easily tested with 24 urine tests. 2. Does it respond to drugs like spirolactone? In general, if you do not have masculization-deeping voice, larger muscles, change of your pelvic hair distribution, it will respond to spironolactone. Your physician can do this. If the 24 hour urines are high, I would see an endocrinologist or an OB who subspecialized in endocrine(fairly common in larger cities). Lastly, plastic surgery/dermatology can ruby lazer them off permanently, but it is expensive.

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Last modified August 13, 1998