Hirsutism  is the excessive hairiness on women in those parts of the body where terminal hair does not normally occur or is minimal - for example, a beard or chest hair. It refers to a male pattern of body hair (androgenic hair) and it is therefore primarily of cosmetic and psychological concern. Hirsutism is a symptom rather than a disease and may be a sign of a more serious medical condition, especially if it develops well after puberty. The amount and location of the hair is measured by aFerriman-Gallwey score.

Hirsutism can be caused by either an increased level of androgens, the male hormones, or an oversensitivity of hair folliclesto androgens. Male hormones such as testosterone stimulate hair growth, increase size and intensify the growth and pigmentation of hair.

The following may be some of the conditions that may increase a woman's normally low level of male hormones:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, in turn mostly caused by 21-α hydroxylase deficiency
• Cushing's disease
• Tumors in the ovaries or adrenal gland (cancer)
• Certain medications
• Insulin resistance
• Stromal Hyperthecosis - in postmenopausal women
• Obesity: As there is peripheral conversion of androgens to estrogen in these patients, this is the same mechanism of PCOS