Hirsutism causes excessive hair growth. It can be triggered by a medical condition, and you may be more likely to experience it after the menopause.
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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.
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.
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When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Epidemiology, diagnosis and management of hirsutism: a consensus statement by the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society. Human Reproduction Update, 18(2), pp.146–170.
Randomized, double-blind clinical evaluation of the efficacy and safety of topical eflornithine HCl 13.9% cream in the treatment of women with facial hair. Int J Dermatol 2007;46:94-8.
Health-related quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a comparison with the general population using the polycystic ovary syndrome questionnaire (PCOSQ) and the short form-36 (SF-36). Gynecol Endocrinol 2006;22:80-6.
Laser and photoepilation for unwanted hair growth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev
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