Hirsutism is common (5–10% of women), but the extent of it can vary significantly. There are racial differences in hair growth. The point at which hair growth is noted to be excessive may vary depending upon personal and/or societal attitudes.
Hirsutism is the most common endocrine disorder affecting nearly 10% of women in the United States.
Hirsutism is stiff or dark body hair, appearing on the body where women don't commonly have hair — primarily the face, chest, lower abdomen, inner thighs and back. People have widely varying opinions on what's considered excessive.
Hirsutism is defined as the presence of terminal coarse hairs in females in a male-like distribution. It affects around 5-10% of women[1,2] and is a common presenting complaint in the dermatological out patient department (OPD) for cosmetic reasons.
Hirsutism is usually a symptom of an underlying problem rather than a medical condition in its own right. In most cases, the underlying problem is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which is often associated with irregular menstrual cycles, acne, obesity, infertility and an increased risk of diabetes and osteoporosis.
Because it usually is not possible to cure the hormonal problem that causes hirsutism, ongoing medical treatment is required to manage it. Hirsutism will frequently return if medical treatment is stopped. Sometimes a combination of treatment methods is needed for best results.
Hirsutism is linked to hormones called androgens. It can happen if the level of these hormones increases or if your body becomes more sensitive to them. The most common cause is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is a condition affecting the ovaries that can also cause symptoms such as acne and irregular periods.
Hirsutism symptoms such as unwanted hair growth and balding worsen with age. The most important findings are that metabolic parameters worsen in overweight women with PCOS, increasing their risk for life-long health issues beyond menopause.
In women, androgens are produced by the ovaries or the adrenal glands. But some women with hirsutism don't have PCOS or any other cause that can be found. Their hormone levels are normal, and so are their menstrual cycles. These women may have been born with hair follicles that are more sensitive to androgens.
Hirsutism is more prevalent in the Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, European, and South Asian races. Hirsutism usually affects Hispanic women with polycystic ovarian cysts more than the non-Hispanic women. There is no difference in the prevalence of hirsutism between the white and black races.
Age. The age of onset of hirsutism depends on the etiology. Most forms of nonneoplastic hirsutism become evident around puberty. This includes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), CAH, and idiopathic hirsutism.
A woman with the mildest form of hirsutism may notice significant growth of hair on the upper lip, chin, sideburn area, and around the nipples or lower abdomen. This hair will be mature hair, or hair that is the same color as that growing on the scalp.
Signs and Symptoms
The main symptom of hirsutism is hair growing on the abdomen, breasts, and upper lip (male-pattern hair growth in women). If hirsutism is caused by high levels of male hormones, symptoms may also include: Irregular menstrual periods. Acne.
Androgen production in women may decrease because of ovarian aging or decreased production by the adrenal glands over time. The prevalence of hirsutism and acne decreases with age.
Although hirsutism is generally associated with hyperandrogenemia, one-half of women with mild symptoms have normal androgen levels. The most common cause of hirsutism is polycystic ovary syndrome, accounting for three out of every four cases. Many medications can also cause hirsutism.
Hairy arms and legs are not usually the result of abnormal hormone patterns, but rather reflect the woman's family or ethnic background. "Midline" hair growth (e.g. upper lip, chin, abdomen, between the breasts and/or buttocks) is more suspicious for PCOS.
Genetics: The condition can run in families. Ethnicity: Women from certain cultures are more likely to have hirsutism. This includes women of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Mediterranean descent.
Ovarian surgery has not generally been demonstrated to have an effect on the severity of hirsutism, but has been suggested to decrease hair growth rate in some women [19, 20].
Although shaving can lead to a blunt hair end that may feel like stubble, it does not lead to a worsening of hirsutism.
This is known as hirsutism. Excessive body hair and facial hair are considered to be a sign of polycystic ovarian syndrome - PCOS. This is a common condition associated with infertility.
Recent studies have shown that women who were diagnosed as having PCOS 30 years ago have a completely normal life expectancy. An inspection of more than 700 death certificates from women with PCOS has shown that there is no excess risk of cancer in any organ or of heart disease.
Hirsutism is often treated with a combination of approaches, including oral contraceptives with or without an antiandrogen, such as spironolactone, to lower levels or block actions of androgen on hair follicles.
Weight loss — Weight loss in overweight females can decrease levels of androgens and lessen hirsutism. Females with menstrual irregularities may also notice that their cycles become more regular after losing weight.
Hirsutism is defined as the presence of terminal hair with male pattern distribution in women. While in the general population, hirsutism affects around 4–11% of women, it is the main manifestation of hyperandrogenism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), with a prevalence estimated at 65–75%.