Androgens are produced throughout the body in steroid-producing organs, such as the adrenal glands and ovaries, and in other tissues, like the skin. Several androgens are found normally in women, including dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and androstenedione. These androgens are essential in the development of several common cutaneous conditions in women, including acne, hirsutism, and female pattern hair loss (FPHL)—androgen-mediated cutaneous disorders (AMCDs). However, the role of androgens in the pathophysiology of these diseases is complicated and incompletely understood. In the first article in this Continuing Medical Education series, we discuss the role of the skin in androgen production and the impact of androgens on the skin in women. Specifically, we review the necessary but insufficient role that androgens play in the development of acne, hirsutism, and FPHL in women. Dermatologists face the challenge of differentiating physiologic from pathologic presentations of AMCDs in women. There are currently no dermatology guidelines outlining the indications for endocrinologic evaluation in women presenting with acne, hirsutism, or FPHL. We review the available evidence regarding when to consider an endocrinologic workup in women presenting with AMCDs, including the appropriate type and timing of testing.

雄激素在体内产生类固醇的器官（例如肾上腺和卵巢）以及其他组织（例如皮肤）中产生。女性通常会发现几种雄激素，包括脱氢表雄酮，硫酸脱氢表雄酮，睾丸激素，二氢睾丸激素和雄烯二酮。这些雄激素对于女性几种常见皮肤病的发展至关重要，包括痤疮，多毛症和女性型脱发（FPHL）-雄激素介导的皮肤疾病（AMCD）。但是，雄激素在这些疾病的病理生理学中的作用是复杂的，尚未完全理解。在本《继续医学教育》系列的第一篇文章中，我们讨论了皮肤在雄激素产生中的作用以及雄激素对女性皮肤的影响。具体来说，我们审查了雄激素在女性痤疮，多毛症和FPHL发育中所发挥的必要但不足的作用。皮肤科医生面临着将女性AMCD的生理表现与病理表现相区别的挑战。目前尚无皮肤病学指南，概述痤疮，多毛症或FPHL的妇女进行内分泌学评估的适应症。我们审查了关于何时考虑接受AMCD的女性进行内分泌检查的可用证据，包括适当的检查类型和检查时间。目前尚无皮肤病学指南，概述痤疮，多毛症或FPHL的妇女进行内分泌学评估的适应症。我们审查了关于何时考虑接受AMCD的女性进行内分泌检查的可用证据，包括适当的检查类型和检查时间。目前尚无皮肤病学指南，概述痤疮，多毛症或FPHL的妇女进行内分泌学评估的适应症。我们审查了关于何时考虑接受AMCD的女性进行内分泌检查的可用证据，包括适当的检查类型和检查时间。