Abnormal hairiness, especially in women, hypertrichosis.
The condition of having excessive hair, especially a condition in which a woman grows hair on the body in the same way as a man.
Heavy, abnormal growth of hair that may be either coarse and pigmented or fine, soft, and unpigmented. The condition in females is due to an inappropriate production of testosterone. Adrenal cortex tumors, androgen-producing tumors in the ovaries, hyperplasia of the androgen-producing cells (the stromal and thecal cells) of the ovaries, or polycystic ovary disease may be responsible for this hair growth.
A condition of having excessive amounts of coarse body hair growing in a masculine pattern, especially in a woman; also called hypertrichosis. Hirsutism can occur as a result of levels of male hormones, medication, disease or disorder (such as porphyria, adrenal hyperplasia, or polycystic ovary syndrome), or birth defects such as those giving rise to de Lange syndrome. Hair can be removed in a variety of ways, such as electrolysis or rubbing with pumice, or can be bleached.
Excessive hairiness, sometimes the result of heredity, endocrine (hormonal) imbalance, disease, or drug intake.
Abnormal or excessive hair growth on a female’s face or body.
Excess facial and body hair in women. Hirsutism is not a disease, and the underlying cause is not usually a serious disorder. The principal problems associated with hirsutism are aesthetic.
Excessive hairiness, particularly in women. Rarely, the cause may be a disturbance of the hormone systems but usually the cause is not known.
The growth in women of hair of the male type and distribution. It is due either to the excess production of androgens, or to undue sensitivity of the hair follicle to normal female levels of circulating androgens. The latter is called idiopathic hirsutism, its cause being unknown. The increased production of androgens in the female may come from the ovary and be due to polycystic ovary syndrome or an ovarian tumour, or the excess androgen may come from the adrenal cortex and be the result of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, an adrenal tumour or cushing’s syndrome. However, there is a wide range of normality in the distribution of female body hair. Hirsutism varies with different racial groups and it is not abnormal for some women, especially those with dark hair, to have hair apparent on the upper lip; a few coarse hairs on the chin and around the nipples are not uncommon. Extension of the pubic hair towards the umbilicus is also frequently found. Dark hair is much more apparent than fair hair, and this is why bleaching is of considerable benefit in the management of hirsutism.
Condition characterized by the excessive growth of hair or the presence of hair in unusual places, esp. in women. Hirsutism in women is usually caused by abnormalities of androgen production or metabolism, or it may be a side effect of medication or hormonal therapies. In patients who do not have an adrenal tumor, this condition may be treated symptomatically by shaving, depilatories, or electrolysis. The goal of medical therapy is to decrease androgen production. This may involve the use of various agents, including hormones or an antiandrogen (cyproterone acetate).
Condition pertaining to an excessive growth or cover of hair.
Hypertrichosis, an atypical proliferation of hair on the visage and various regions of the physique, stemming from an overabundance of androgens.
Hirsutism refers to excessive hairiness, especially in women, where the extra hair is coarse and follows a male distribution pattern on the face, trunk, and limbs. It can be a symptom of certain conditions, like polycystic ovary syndrome or congenital adrenal hyperplasia, where there are unusually high levels of male hormones in the blood. Use of anabolic steroids can also lead to hirsutism. However, hirsutism often isn’t indicative of any disorder; it mildly occurs in many healthy women, particularly post-menopause, when hormone balance can be disrupted.