The Role of Probiotics and Synbiotics on Hirsutism

Abstract

Probiotics and synbiotics are known to have beneficial effects on human health and disease. Hirsutism, a disorder that is characterised by the presence of coarse terminal hairs in a male-like pattern, is usually caused by elevated androgen levels in blood plasma. This disorder is usually observed in PCOS women and it is linked to insulin resistance (IR). Although idiopathic hirsutism (IH) is not shown to have excess androgen production from the ovarian and adrenal glands, increased 5α-reductase in peripheral tissues and insulin resistance are common observations. The effect of probiotics and synbiotics have been recently studied on PCOS women; androgens were also included in the hormonal groups that were investigated. Only a few studies focus on hirsutism and the potential effect of the beneficial microbes mentioned, whereas the increasing interest on insulin resistance and synbiotics indicate a potential beneficial effect on hirsutism through the management of insulin resistance.

Beneficial Effects of Probiotics on Benign Gynaecological Disorders: A Review

“…Since most PCOS patients suffer from metabolic abnormalities, treatments with probiotics may provide significant relief for these patients. As demonstrated by the studies above, probiotics can decrease the production of androgens by increasing the levels of SHBG that bind and regulate free testosterone, subsequently improving hirsutism symptoms [ 49 ].…”