Excessive or unwanted hair in women
Hypertrichosis; Hirsutism; Hair - excessive (women); Excessive hair in women; Hair - women - excessive or unwantedMost of the time, women have fine hair above their lips and on their chin, chest, abdomen, or back. The growth of coarse dark hair in these areas (more typical of male-pattern hair growth) is called hirsutism.
Causes
Women normally produce low levels of male hormones (androgens). If your body makes too much of this hormone, you may have unwanted hair growth.
In most cases, the exact cause is never known. The condition often runs in families.
A common cause of hirsutism is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS and other hormone conditions that cause unwanted hair growth may also have:
- Acne
- Problems with menstrual periods
- Trouble losing weight
- Diabetes
If these symptoms start suddenly, you may have a tumor that releases male hormones.
Other, less common causes of unwanted hair growth may include:
- Thyroid disorders
- Tumor or cancer of the adrenal gland
Tumor or cancer of the adrenal gland
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a cancer of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are two triangle-shaped glands. One gland is located on top of...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Tumor or cancer of the ovary
Tumor or cancer of the ovary
Ovarian cancer is cancer that starts in the ovaries. The ovaries are the female reproductive organs that produce eggs.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Cushing syndrome
Cushing syndrome
Cushing syndrome is a disorder that occurs when your body has a high level of the hormone cortisol.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is the name given to a group of inherited disorders of the adrenal gland. Inherited means they are passed down from p...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Hyperthecosis -- a condition in which the ovaries produce too much male hormones
Ovaries produce too much male hormones
Ovarian overproduction of androgens is a condition in which the ovaries make too much testosterone. This leads to the development of male characteri...
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Use of certain medicines may also be the cause of unwanted hair growth, including:
- Testosterone
- Danazol
- Anabolic steroids
- DHEA
- Glucocorticoids
- Cyclosporine
- Minoxidil
- Phenytoin
Female body builders may take male hormones (anabolic steroids), which may result in excessive hair growth.
In rare cases, women with hirsutism have normal levels of male hormones, and the specific cause of the unwanted hair growth cannot be identified.
Symptoms
The main symptom of this condition is the presence of coarse dark hair in areas that are sensitive to male hormones. These areas include:
- Chin and upper lip
- Chest and upper abdomen
- Back and buttocks
- Inner thigh
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms.
Tests that may be done may include any of the following:
- Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
- Prolactin
- Testosterone test
Testosterone test
A testosterone test measures the amount of the male hormone, testosterone, in the blood. Both men and women produce this hormone. The test described...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - DHEA-sulfate test
DHEA-sulfate test
DHEA stands for dehydroepiandrosterone. It is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands in both men and women. It can be converted to other hormones...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Pelvic ultrasound (if virilization, or development of male characteristics, is present)
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of organs and structures inside the body.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleVirilization
Virilization is a condition in which a female develops characteristics associated with male hormones (androgens), or when a newborn has characteristi...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - CT scan or MRI (if virilization is present)
CT scan
A computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...
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A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - 17-hydroxyprogesterone blood test
17-hydroxyprogesterone blood test
17-OH progesterone is a blood test that measures the amount of 17-OH progesterone in the blood. This is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands and...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - ACTH stimulation test
ACTH stimulation test
The ACTH stimulation test measures how well the adrenal glands respond to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH is a hormone produced in the pitu...
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Treatment
Hirsutism is generally a long-term problem. There are many ways to remove or treat unwanted hair. Some treatment effects last longer than others.
- Medicines -- Drugs such as birth control pills, anti-androgen medicines, and spironolactone are a few options for some women.
- Electrolysis -- Electrical current is used to permanently damage individual hair follicles so they do not grow back. This method is expensive, and multiple treatments are needed. Swelling, scarring, and redness of the skin may occur.
- Laser energy directed at the dark color (melanin) in the hairs -- This method is best for a large area of very dark hair. It does not work on blond or red hair.
Temporary options include:
- Shaving -- Although this does not cause more hair to grow, it may make hair look thicker.
- Chemicals, plucking, and waxing -- These options are safe and inexpensive. However, chemical products may irritate the skin.
For women who are overweight, weight loss may be able to help reduce hair growth.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Hair follicles grow for about 6 months before falling out. Therefore, it takes many months of taking medicine before you will notice a decrease in hair growth.
Many women get good results with temporary steps to remove hair or lighten it.
Possible Complications
Most of the time, hirsutism does not cause health problems. But many women find it bothersome or embarrassing.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider if you have any of the following:
- The hair grows rapidly.
- You also have male features such as acne, deepening voice, increased muscle mass, male pattern thinning of your hair, increasing size of the clitoris, and decreased breast size.
Male pattern thinning of your hair
Male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss in men.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - You are concerned that medicine you are taking may be increasing the growth of unwanted hair.
References
Bulun SE. Physiology and pathology of the female reproductive axis. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 17.
Dinulos JGH. Hair diseases. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide in Diagnosis and Therapy. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 24.
Tosti A. Diseases of hair and nails. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 409.
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Review Date: 10/13/2023
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.