Serving Charleston, SC since 1976

Adrenal gland - Either of a pair of endocrine organs located above the kidney that produce hormones.

Adrenal hyperplasia - An abnormal or unusual increase in the hormone production of the adrenal gland. This disorder is the result of a genetic problem.

AUIil (adrenocorticotropic hormone) - A protein hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal gland to produce androgens and cortisol (a hormone essential to life).

Anabolic steroids - A synthetic androgen-like hormone sometimes used to increase muscle size.

Androgen - A male sex hormone.

DanazoL - An androgen-like drug used to treat endometriosis.

Dexamethasone(Decadron®) - A synthetic drug, similar to cortisol, often used to treat an overactive adrenal gland.

Diuretic - An agent that increases the flow of urine.

Estrogen - A female sex hormone.

Gonadotropin releasing bornione (GnRH) analogs - Synthetic hormones similar to the naturally occurring gonadotropin releasing hormones that regulate ovarian function.

Hair follicle - A tubular sheath that surrounds the lower part of the hair shaft, supplies the growing hair with nourishment, and gives life to new hairs.

Hair shaft - The part of the hair that is visible above the skin.

Hirsutism - The growth of long, coarse hair on the face, chest, upper arms, and upper legs of women in a pattern similar to that of men.

Hypertrichosis - Growth of hair in exess of normal.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome - A disorder in which the ovaries overproduce male hormones and ovulation does not occur. It is often associated with hirsutism, irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, and obesity

Prednisone - A synthetic drug, similar to cortisol, often used to treat an overactive adrenal gland.

Progesterone - A female hormone secreted during the second half of the menstrual cycle.

Spironolactone (Aldactone®) - A steroid hormone that directly blocks the effect of androgens on the skin. It initially was used as a diuretic.

Terminal ball - The long, coarse, and thick hairs that normally grow in the scalp, pubic, and armpit areas of men and women, and the face, chest, abdomen, upper arms, and upper thighs of men.

Vellus ball - The soft, fine, and usually short hairs that appear on the face, chest, and back of women, giving the impression of "hairless" skin.