Hirsutism

Hirsutism is excessive body hair on parts of the body where hair is normally absent or minimal. The word is from early 17th century: from Latin hirsutus meaning "hairy".^[2] It usually refers to a male pattern of hair growth in a female that may be a sign of a more serious medical condition,^[3] especially if it develops well after puberty.^[4] Cultural stigma against hirsutism can cause much psychological distress and social difficulty.^[5] Discrimination based on facial hirsutism often leads to the avoidance of social situations and to symptoms of anxiety and depression.^[6]

Hirsutism is usually the result of an underlying endocrine imbalance, which may be adrenal, ovarian, or central.^[7] It can be caused by increased levels of androgen hormones. The amount and location of the hair is measured by a Ferriman–Gallwey score. It is different from hypertrichosis, which is excessive hair growth anywhere on the body.^[3]

Treatments may include certain birth control pills, antiandrogens, or insulin sensitizers.^[1]

Hirsutism affects between 5 and 15% of women across all ethnic backgrounds.^[8] Depending on the definition and the underlying data, approximately 40% of women have some degree of facial hair.^[9] About 10 to 15% of cases of hirsutism are idiopathic with no known cause.^[10]