Hirsutism (HER-soot-iz-um) is a condition of unwanted, male-pattern hair growth in women. Hirsutism results in excessive amounts of coarse and pigmented hair on body areas where men typically grow hair — face, chest and back.
The amount of body hair you have is largely determined by your genetic makeup. Hirsutism may arise from excess male hormones called androgens, primarily testosterone. Or hirsutism may be due to an ethnic or family trait.
A combination of self-care and medical therapies provides effective treatment for many women with hirsutism.
Symptoms
The major sign of hirsutism is coarse and pigmented body hair, appearing on the body where women don't commonly have hair — primarily the face, chest and back. When excessively high androgen levels cause hirsutism, other signs may develop over time, a process called virilization.
Signs of virilization may include:
1) Deepening voice
2) Balding
3) Acne
4) Decreased breast size
5) Enlargement of the clitoris
6) Increased muscle mass
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