What is hirsutism?

Hirsutism is a condition where women have excess facial and body hair. The hair is dark and coarse like that of a man and located on the body where men typically grow hair, on the chest, face, and back.

Some body and facial hair is normal on women, while the amount varies. But hirsutism may be caused high levels of male sex hormones called androgens. Most cases of hirsutism are not severe and have no underlying cause. However, sometimes there is a more serious underlying condition, such as Cushing's syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome or an androgen secreting tumor. An estimated 8% of adult women in the United States have hirsutism.