Hirsutism is a condition of unwanted, male-pattern in women. If the women has developed the excessive amounts of coarse and pigmented hair on body areas where men typically have hair such as on your face, chest and back. It is due to excessive male hormones (androgens).

Causes of hirsutism

• Poly cystic ovarian syndrome.
• Hormone secreting tumors.
• Tumor or cancer of adrenal gland, ovary.
• Medications like testosterone, anabolic steroids, steroids etc.
  

Symptoms and signs

• Excessive hair growth over face, chest and back.
• Coarse, pigmented body hair.
• Deepening voice.
• Baldness.
  Acne.
• Decreased breast size.
• Enlargement of the clitoris.
• Increased muscle mass.
  

When to seek medical advice

• If the hair grows rapidly.
• If the hair growth is associated with male features like acne, deepening voice, decreased breast size etc.
• If you are taking any medications which may be worsening unwanted hair growth.
  

Diagnostic blood tests to measure the level of

• Testosterone.
• Prolactin.
• Luteinizing hormone (LH)
• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).
• Dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S).
  

Treatment

• Hair removal therapies include: Bleaching, shaving, waxing, chemical depilation, electrolysis, laser hair removal.
• Medical therapies:
• Oral contraceptives or hormonal contraceptives.
• Anti-androgens like spirinolactone, bromocriptine, and cimetidine.