Hirsutism

What is hirsutism?

Hirsutism is where women have thick, dark hair on the chest, face, neck, back, buttocks or thighs. It’s caused by an increase in hormones called androgens. The most common cause is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but in many cases there is no obvious cause.

Androgens are hormones connected to male traits but are present in both men and women. In women, androgens are converted into oestrogen – the ‘female hormone’.

During puberty, they stimulate the growth of pubic hair and also play a role in managing the function of organs like the kidneys and liver.

In adult women, they help to strengthen bones and play a key role in sexual desire and satisfaction.

How common is hirsutism?

Around 10% of women have more androgens than they need in their bodies, and this is what causes the thick hair growth associated with hirsutism.^[1]

What causes hirsutism?

Hirsutism can be caused by the presence of excess androgens, or by an increased sensitivity to them. There can be a range of reasons why you have excess androgens in your body or why you’re more sensitive to them.

For 70% of women with hirsutism, the cause is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS causes the ovaries to produce more androgens than the body needs and leads to the growth of thick, dark hair.

In some rare cases, hirsutism has been linked to more serious illnesses such as glucocorticoid resistance syndrome, hyperprolactinemia and Cushing’s syndrome. In these cases hair growth happens suddenly and rapidly. Certain medications can also trigger hirsutism.

Can hirsutism lead to other problems?

Although it can have a negative impact on self-confidence and mental health, the hair growth associated with hirsutism isn’t a problem in itself.

But it can be linked to other more serious conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, and for this reason it’s important to consult a clinician to find out what’s causing hirsutism.