What Is Hirsutism?

Hirsutism causes excessive facial or body hair growth among women[1]. Women do have hair on the face but it is faintly visible. However, when you are suffering from this condition, it causes a male pattern of hair growth. This means that just like men, women also tend to have hair on the upper lip (moustache), on the chin (beard) and also other places such as chest, etc. It is also seen in women with hormonal problems such as polycystic Ovarian Syndrome(PCOS). So if you have hair growth in unusual places which makes your feel like a man, then you might suffering from hirsutism.

Hirsutism is caused due to an excessive production of androgens (male hormones) in the female body. Androgens are naturally present in the female body but with in a meager level. But if suffering from hirsutism, there is excessive secretion of the hormones, which lead to unwanted facial growth in women. Higher insulin levels in the body can also stimulate the production of androgens leading to excessive hair growth[1]. Some of the common causes of hirsutism include:

PCOS which is resulted due to hormonal imbalance causes cysts (fluid filled sacs) on the ovaries which can lead to irregular menses and infertility.

Cushing’s syndrome is an adrenal gland disorder in which the body is exposed to high levels of the hormone cortisol for a long time.

Tumors of the adrenal gland or ovaries can cause excess production of hormones leading to hirsutism.

Certain medicines such as anabolic steroids (which contain hormones), drugs used to promote hair growth or those used to treat endometriosis or depression can cause hormonal changes.