Hirsutography: Photographic measurement of linear hair growth in hirsute women during comparison of anti-androgen treatments

SummaryThe photographic method for measuring linear hair growth rate in hirsute women was shown to be highly reliable and reproducible in a normal clinic setting. The method was then used to study response to treatment with anti-androgens in 41 hirsute women. Twenty-one women were treated with spironolactone and Ovysmen (ethinyl oestradiol 35 μg, norethisterone 500 μg) for 6 months (group A) and 20 women were treated with cyproterone acetate and ethinyloestradiol for 6 months (group B). There was a decrease in linear hair growth of 29 per cent in group A (P< 0–001) and 37 per cent in group B (.P<0–001). There was a decrease in Ferriman Gallwey score of 39 per cent in group A (P<0001) and 43 per cent in group B (P<0001). No difference was observed between the responses of the two groups of women. This simple photographic method has ready application in the management of hirsute women.