BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common gynecologic endocrine disorder affecting between 2.2% and 26% of the population. It is typically characterized by hirsutism and signs of ovulatory dysfunction. Hirsutism is defined as the presence of excess body or facial terminal hair growth in females, following a male-like pattern. It is diagnosed using visual assessment methods, such as the modified Ferriman–Gallwey (mFG) scoring system, and biochemical tests, including measurements of total testosterone (tT) and the free androgen index (FAI).

The general objective of the study is to identify the correlation of visual scoring with the biochemical evaluation of hirsutism. Specific objectives include (1) to describe the visual and biochemical scores of hirsutism in PCOS patients and (2) to determine a cutoff score for the visual scoring of hirsutism among Filipinos.

This is a cross-sectional study done in a tertiary hospital. Ethical approval was obtained for this study. Patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and OB score were noted. Visual scoring for hirsutism using the mFG scoring system was performed. Blood extraction was done for testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin tests. FAI was then computed and correlated with the mFG scores.

A total of 52 patients were identified. A positive correlation is noted between the mFG with testosterone and FAI. A positive correlation was also noted between the BMI with testosterone and FAI. An mFG value of >4 is an acceptable cutoff for Filipinos.

The study showed as the mFG score increases, FAI and tT levels also increase. It was also noted that as BMI increases, the FAI and tT levels are also expected to increase. It can also be concluded that a lower mFG cutoff value, >4, is applicable for Filipinos.

Steroid cell tumors occur in <0.1% of all ovarian tumors, and steroid cell tumors, not otherwise specified occur in 80% of those steroid cell tumor cases. In the Philippines, there is only one published case of a steroid cell tumor, not otherwise specified. This is a case of a 25-year-old nulligravid, who manifested with heavy menstrual bleeding accompanied by hirsutism, and deepening of the voice. Ultrasound revealed the left ovary with a well-circumscribed, hypoechoic solid mass, measuring 36.8 mm × 34 mm × 32.1 mm with benign features on the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis. The patient underwent a left salpingo-oophorectomy with frozen section. Final histopathology showed a steroid cell tumor, not otherwise specified. Prompt surveillance and increasing awareness of steroid cell tumors, especially those that manifest with abnormal uterine bleeding and virilization, may initiate prompt and proper management that can have an impact on the quality of life of the patient.

Disorders of sex development (DSD) are characterized by atypical development of chromosomal, gonadal, or phenotypic sex. 45X,46XY mosaicism is a type of sex chromosome DSD which presents with a wide heterogeneity of manifestations. We report the case of a 13-year-old phenotypically female who presented with clitoromegaly at puberty. Testosterone level was elevated on serology. Out of the 50 cells examined, 43 cells had Monosomy X while 7 cells had a normal male karyotype. She was managed by a multidisciplinary team. Due to the presence of Y chromosome, the solid nodular structure seen on the right gonad in magnetic resonance imaging and the pain caused by the phallus, Laparoscopic bilateral gonadectomy, salpingectomy and clitoroplasty were done after a shared decision making. Histopathology revealed Gonadoblastoma and Germ cell neoplasia-in-situ of the right gonad justifying timely removal. She was then maintained on estrogen for induction of secondary sexual characteristics.

Objective: To summarize the experience in diagnosis and treatment of 45, X Turner syndrome (TS) with gonadal Y chromosome mosaicism and bilateral gonadoblastoma (Gb) secreting human chorionic gonadotrophin(HCG). Methods: A female patient aged 5 years and 3 months was admitted to the hospital with a complaint of "enlarged breasts for 27 months, and elevated blood β-HCG for 8 months". The clinical data were summarized, and related literature up to March 2022 with the key words"Turner syndrome" "Gonadoblastoma" "Y chromosome" "human chorionic gonadotropin" "precocious" in PubMed, CNKI and Wanfang databases were reviewed. Results: The girl went to the local hospital for 2-month breast development at age of 3 years, and was found with a heart murmur diagnosed with "pulmonary venous malformation and atrial septal defect (secondary foramen type)". Surgical correction was performed. She experienced the progressive breast development, rapid linear growth and markedly advanced skeletal age, which cannot be explained by partial activation in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis determined at the age of 3 years and 7 months in local hospital. Then whole-exome sequencing revealed chromosome number abnormality 45, X, which was confirmed by Karyotyping. At the age of 4 years and 6 months, serum β-HCG was found to be elevated (24.9 U/L) with no lesion found at the local hospital. On physical examination, she was found with breast development, pubic hair development and clitoromegaly with elevated serum testosterone (1.96 μg/L) and β-HCG (32.3 U/L). Sex determining region Y(SRY) gene was negative in peripheral blood sample. Thoracic and abdominal CT, head and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging were normal. Exploratory laparotomy confirmed the presence of a left adnexal tumor and a right fibrous streak gonad. During surgery, simultaneous samples of bilateral gonadal and peripheral venous blood were obtained and serum β-HCG, estradiol and testosteron concentrations was higher to lower from left gonadal venous blood, right gonadal venous blood, to peripheral venous blood. Bilateral gonadectomy was performed. Histopathology revealed bilateral gonadoblastomas. SRY was positive in bilateral gonadal tissues. After surgery, serum E₂, testerone and β-HCG returned to normal. So far 4 cases of HCG-secreting gonadoblastoma had been reported worldwide. The phenotypes of the 4 cases were all female, with virilization or amenorrhea, and the preoperative peripheral blood β-HCG concentrations were 74.4, 5.0, 40 456.0, and 42.4 U/L, respectively. Conclusions: There is a high risk of Gb in TS with Y chromosome components. Gb is infrequently presented with breast development, and Gb associated with HCG secretion is rare. Karyotyping should be performed in a phenotypic female with masculinization, and virilization in TS indicates the presence of Y chromosome material with concurrent androgen secreting tumors.
Humans ; Female ; Child, Preschool ; Gonadoblastoma/surgery* ; Turner Syndrome/complications* ; Virilism ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Ovarian Neoplasms

A 51-year-old perimenopausal female patient presented with hirsutism and voice thickening which was started approximately one and a half years ago. Her initial hormone assay revealed elevated plasma testosterone, 5a-dihydrotestosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels and therefore androgen-secreting tumor was first suspected. However, the lesion was inconspicuous on transvaginal sonography, abdominal-pelvic computed tomography (CT) scan, and pelvic magnetic resonance (MRI) imaging. Consequently, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography-CT was performed, which localized the lesion as a focal FDG uptake within the right adnexa. Total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed, and although visible gross mass lesions were not observed intraoperatively, pure Leydig cell tumor was pathologically confirmed within the right ovary. Plasma testosterone, 5a-dihydrotestosterone, and DHEA levels were normalized postoperatively. Clinical signs of virilization were also significantly resolved after 3-months of follow-up.
Dehydroepiandrosterone ; Diagnosis ; Electrons ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hirsutism ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Leydig Cell Tumor ; Middle Aged ; Ovary ; Plasma ; Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumor ; Testosterone ; Virilism ; Voice

BACKGROUND: The modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mFG) score is the gold standard for the clinical evaluation of hirsutism. However, racial variations in terminal hair growth limit this tool. This study aimed to determine the mFG cut-off score among Filipino women and its association with biochemical hyperandrogenism.METHODS: A total of 128 Filipino women were included in this prospective cross-sectional study and were divided into two groups: a polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) group (n=28) and a non-PCOS group (n=100). The participants underwent mFG score determination, ovarian ultrasound conducted by a single sonographer, and hormone testing. The mFG cut-off score was determined based on the 95th percentile of the non-PCOS group. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between mFG score and biochemical hyperandrogenism.RESULTS: Although the mFG score was generally low in both the PCOS and non-PCOS groups, the former exhibited a higher mean score than the latter (4.3±3.0 vs. 2.0±2.2, P<0.001). Normal values for the total mFG score ranged from 0 to 7. Using a cut-off score of 7, a higher proportion of hirsute women (mFG score ≥7) was observed in the PCOS group versus the non-PCOS group (17.9% vs. 5.0%, P=0.025). Elevated calculated free testosterone (FT) was also found to be significantly associated with hirsutism (odds ratio, 6.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 32.4 pmol/L; P=0.030).CONCLUSION: A score of 7 and above constitutes hirsutism in this population of Filipino women. Hirsute women are more likely than non-hirsute women to have elevated calculated FT.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Gonadal Disorders ; Hair ; Hirsutism ; Humans ; Hyperandrogenism ; Logistic Models ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; Prospective Studies ; Reference Values ; Testosterone ; Ultrasonography

This review paper evaluates use of Foeniculum vulgare extracts as a popular female plant in management of different ailments of women. Information in this paper was gathered from accessible sources (PubMed, Science Direct, Springer, Wiley, and Google), and traditional books (Persian or English modern traditional books), unpublished data (R&D reports, thesis and dissertation) by keywords based on the words F. vulgare or fennel and women. Efficacy of oral fennel oil in management of dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, amenorrhea, menopause, lactation, and polycystic ovary syndrome were confirmed according to results of clinical studies. Results of clinical efficacy of fennel oil on menstrual bleeding is complicated, but results of one meta-analysis study revealed that fennel oil significantly increased means of bleeding in the first menstrual periodic cycle (P = 0.001), while fennel oil had no significant effect on bleeding in the second menstrual cycle (P = 0.67). Topical and vaginal fennel extract (5%) exhibited good efficacy in treatment of sexual function, vaginal atrophy, and hirsutism. Fennel had no effect on bone density, or body mass index of menopause women. Results of clinical studies introduce fennel as a valuable medicinal plant in management of women's ailments, but understanding the mechanism of action could be the subject of future studies.
Amenorrhea ; Atrophy ; Body Mass Index ; Bone Density ; Dysmenorrhea ; Female ; Foeniculum ; Hemorrhage ; Hirsutism ; Humans ; Lactation ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Menopause ; Menstrual Cycle ; Phytoestrogens ; Plants ; Plants, Medicinal ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; Premenstrual Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Women's Health

Objectives: To describe the phenotype variation in Indonesian 46,XX late-identified congenital adrenal hyperplasia(CAH) and the correlation between 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and genital virilization. Methodology: Retrospective study of 39 cases with five salt-wasting (SW) and 34 simple virilizing (SV) types. Results: The median age of the patients was 9.83 years (range, 0.58 to 44 years) with Prader score 2 to 5. Clitoromegaly (100%) and skin hyperpigmentation (87%) were the most common features. Lack of breast development(Tanner 1 to 2) and menstrual disorders occurred in 9 patients (teenagers and adults). Short stature (6), low voice (14),prominentAdam’s apple (9) and hirsutism (4) were found only in SV types Rapid growth (7) and precocious puberty (8)were identified in children. Male gender on admission was found in 13 patients. The mean of 17-OHP level was 304.23nmol/L [standard deviation (SD) 125.03 nmol/L]. There was no correlation between 17-OHP levels and virilization(r=0.19, p>0.05). Conclusion Late-identified CAH showed severe virilization and irreversible sequelae, with clitoromegaly and skinhyperpigmentation as the most commonly seen features. Masculinization of CAH females created uncertainty withregard to sex assignment at birth, resulting in female, male and undecided genders. There is no significant correlationbetween 17-OHP levels with the degree of virilization in CAH females
Phenotype ; Virilism

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) presents with a spectrum of conditions resulting from androgen excess, anovulation and metabolic syndrome. Patients with PCOS may see their primary care physicians for various presentations, including hirsutism, acne, menstrual irregularities, infertility, obesity, and psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. Management of these patients should include screening for Type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia and hypertension. Treatment should be targeted to each patient's phenotype and personal expectations such as desire for pregnancy. Psychological well-being due to the effects on physical appearance is also an important consideration. Diet and exercise are major components in the management of patients with PCOS and obesity. The first-line therapy for fertility and metabolic syndrome in PCOS is lifestyle modification with diet and exercise, followed by pharmacological therapy.
Acne Vulgaris ; complications ; Diet ; Exercise ; Female ; Hirsutism ; complications ; Humans ; Metabolic Syndrome ; complications ; Obesity ; complications ; therapy ; Phenotype ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; complications ; therapy ; Primary Health Care ; methods ; Self Care ; Treatment Outcome

A 6-year-old boy with acute onset fever, mental change, and vomiting was admitted to the intensive care unit. He had neck stiffness and positive Kernig/Brudzinski sign. He showed neither skin pigmentation nor hirsutism. Brain magnetic resonance image showed diffuse sulcal T2 fluid attenuated inversion recovery hyperintensity in bilateral cerebral hemisphere. We started intravenous vancomycin and ceftriaxone. There was streptococcus pneumoniae in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture. He showed no improvement of mental change and hemodynamic instability. His adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol level was 5.47 pg/mL and 15.08 µg/dL. We suspected adrenal insufficiency and prescribed intravenous hydrocortisone (50 mg/m2/day). Mental change and hemodynamic instability were improved after that. The CSF culture was negative 24 days after admission and he was discharged with oral hydrocortisone (10 mg/m2/day). In synacthen test (250 µg), basal and 60 minutes 17-OH-progesterone level was 3.84 ng/mL and 5.04 ng/ mL. We suspected non classic congenital adrenal hyperpalsia and planed further work up.
Adrenal Insufficiency* ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Brain ; Ceftriaxone ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Cerebrum ; Child* ; Fever ; Hemodynamics ; Hirsutism ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Intensive Care Units ; Male* ; Meningitis ; Meningitis, Pneumococcal* ; Neck ; Skin Pigmentation ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; Vancomycin ; Vomiting