Hirsutism

Conditions

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Hirsutism is a condition in which a girl has excessive body hair growing in areas where men typically have hair, such as the face, back and chest.

Patients can be seen by Texas Children's experts in Adolescent Medicine and Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.

Hirsutism may be caused by:

Medical conditions in which the body produces too many male hormones, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or conditions that disrupt normal hormone levels, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Medications
Family history – several conditions that cause hirsutism run in families
Ethnicity – hirsutism is found more frequently in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and South Asian women

In children, excessive hair growth may be the first sign of a condition known as precocious puberty, in which the body starts puberty too early.

In some cases, the cause of the excess hair growth can not be found.

Symptoms include coarse, dark body hair in areas where girls don't normally have hair, such as the face, chest and back.

In some cases, additional symptoms may accompany hirsutism, including:

It is important to determine the cause of unwanted hair growth and address any underlying health conditions.

Diagnosis starts with a detailed medical history and a thorough physical exam.

Additional testing may include:

Treatment is aimed at addressing the underlying cause and getting rid of unwanted hair. Treatment strategies may include:

Medications – including birth control pills (oral contraceptives) to balance hormone levels and lower the level of male hormones that cause excess hair growth

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