Hirutism, an funny way of saying "hair in weird places"

What is it?

Hirsutism is the development of excessive or abnormal hair growth in areas where men typically grow hair. We know, annoying.

This includes the face, chest, back, abdomen and thighs. While it can affect both men and women, it's mostly common in women due to higher levels of male sex hormones (androgens) in their bodies. In fact, many women may have some degree of hirsutism without even knowing it because they aren't aware that their body produces more male hormones than normal—or that this extra hormone production signals a hormonal imbalance that could lead to other health issues down the road.

Although there's no one-size-fits-all way to treat hirsutism (because every woman has different triggers), there are three general categories into which people fall: those with high levels of testosterone who produce higher amounts of male hormones than normal; those with low levels of testosterone who produce lower amounts than normal; and those whose bodies naturally produce an equal balance between male and female hormones.

Genetics have something to do with it

You may have heard of estrogens and androgens, but what are they exactly? Estrogens are female hormones, while androgens are male hormones. When your body has more androgens than estrogens (and therefore less estrogen), this can cause excess hair growth on the face, chest, stomach and other areas of your body—a condition called hirsutism.

The main culprits behind hirsutism are testosterone—the most abundant androgen in men—and its partner in crime: dihydrotestosterone (DHT). While testosterone is often associated with masculine traits like facial hair growth as well as increased bone density, muscles mass and strength; DHT is considered to be a very potent form of testosterone that can cause significant side effects such as acne breakouts or hair loss if levels become too high.

Health conditions that cause hormonal imbalances can lead to hirsutism.;

Hirsutism isn't always caused by hormonal imbalances. Sometimes, it's simply a result of genetics. While some women are born with thick hair and others are not, there are particular health conditions that can cause hormonal imbalances that lead to hirsutism. These include:

  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

  • Cushing’s syndrome

  • Hyperthyroidism

The combination of these three conditions can also result in hyperandrogenism—a buildup of male hormones in the body—which causes unwanted hair growth on the face, chest, abdomen and back. In many cases, the excessive hair growth associated with these illnesses is temporary and will go away after treatment of the underlying condition is complete. (Cue AVL!) 

Don't let it get you down

Hirsutism is a common condition that affects women of all ages, but it’s not always easy to diagnose. If you think you might have hirsutism, talk to your doctor about how to get tested.