Hirsutism is usually first noted in the late teenage years and tends to gradually get more severe as the woman gets older. Hirsutism can involve a single site or multiple sites.
- Facial hair: moustache, beard, eyebrows
- Abdomen: the diamond shape of pubic hair extending to the umbilicus
- Chest: around nipples or more extensive growth
- Upper back
- Inner thighs
- People affected by excessive hair may suffer from great embarrassment with consequent psychosocial effects.
Genetically determined Increase in circulating androgens including testosterone. Mild hirsutism can develop in pregnancy. It is not yet possible to prevent genetically predetermined excessive hair growth. Insulin resistance associated with obesity can be reduced by weight loss and dietary control.
Polycystic ovaries, insulin resistance and obesity.
