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Clémentine Delait (1865-1934), the most famous bearded lady on the continent in the 20th century.

Authors :
de Herder WW
Source :
Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology [Gynecol Endocrinol] 2020 Mar; Vol. 36 (3), pp. 213-217. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Nov 01.
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

Clémentine Delait Clattaux (1865-1934), the Bearded Woman from Thaon-les-Vosges, France, did not suffer from her extreme hirsutism, but used it to her advantage. Her beard started to grow when she turned 18 and at the age of 25 she decided to stop shaving her beard and let it grow. She had regular menstrual cycles between ages 12 and 35. She was diagnosed with signs and symptoms of hyperandrogenism like hirsutism, impressive strength and muscularity and a deep voice, but also with morbid obesity. She never gave birth to a child. At the age of 39, she was officially allowed by the French Government to wear man's clothes. She suffered from rheumatism and died because of a stroke. The most probable cause of her hirsutism was polycystic ovary syndrome. Alternatively, an incomplete block in the adrenal steroid synthesis, like nonclassical 21-hydroxylase deficiency can be considered.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1473-0766
Volume :
36
Issue :
3
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
31674848
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2019.1683823