Hirsutism
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Excessive hair growth on the body
Hirsutism
Thick, dark hair on face, neck, chest, tummy, lower back, buttocks or thighs
About the Symptom
A condition in women that results in excessive growth of dark or coarse hair in a male-like pattern — face, chest and back. It can be present in those with polycystic ovary syndrome, obesity, or endocrine disorders. It can also be caused by some medications.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Headache
- Disorder of consciousness
- Edema
- Fainting with loss of consciousness
- Abnormal menstruation
- Abdominal pain
Possible Causes
Generally, Hirsutism can be related to:
- Porphyria
Porphyrias are a group of inherited or acquired disorders caused by a buildup of natural chemicals that produce porphyrin in the body. Porphyrins are necessary for hemoglobin function. Common triggers include drugs (birth control pills, sedatives, etc.), fasting, smoking, drinking alcohol, infections, emotional and physical stress, hormonal imbalance, and sun exposure.
- Cushing's Syndrome
This condition is caused by excessive amounts of a hormone called cortisol. It may be caused by the consumption of some steroid medications or the body producing too much cortisol because of a tumor. It can present with a fatty hump between the shoulders, a rounded face, and pink or purple stretch marks on the skin. Cushing syndrome also can cause high blood pressure bone loss or diabetes.
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS is a condition that can affect women during their reproductive years. It is generally diagnosed when women have irregular periods (menstrual cycles) along with features of excess male hormones (androgens). Patients typically have evidence of abnormal hair growth on their face, chest or abdomen. They can have multiple cysts (fluid sacs) on their ovaries when looked at by ultrasound, but this is not required. Patients with obesity have an increased risk for PCOS. The exact cause is unknown, but it can run in families and is related to hormonal imbalances (estrogen, insulin, testosterone etc).
- Primary Amenorrhea
- MELAS Syndrome
- Acromegaly
- Pregnancy
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Has your body hair thickened recently?
- How long have you had increased hair volume this time?
- How is your excessive hair growth on the body now?
Reviewed By:
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Hidetaka Hamasaki, MD (Endocrinology)
Dr. Hamasaki graduated from the Hiroshima University School of Medicine and the Graduate School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University. He completed his residency at the Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Hospital and the Department of Internal Medicine, Kohnodai Hospital, National Center for Global Health and Medicine. He has served in the National Center for Global Health and Medicine Hospital and Kohnodai Hospital and joined Hamasaki Clinic in April 2017. Dr. Hamasaki specializes in diabetes and treats a wide range of internal medicine and endocrine disorders.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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FAQs
Q.
Spironolactone Side Effects? Why Your Body Reacts & Expert Medical Next Steps
A.
Spironolactone side effects include increased urination, hormonal changes like irregular periods or breast tenderness, dizziness from lower blood pressure, and stomach upset, with the most serious risk being high potassium that can cause dangerous heart rhythm problems; risks rise with kidney disease, diabetes, older age, higher doses, or combining with ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or potassium supplements. There are several factors to consider, so do not stop the medication on your own; arrange blood tests for potassium and kidney function, track symptoms, seek urgent care for chest pain, severe weakness, irregular heartbeat, fainting, trouble breathing, or facial swelling, and see the complete guidance below for why your body reacts, how to lower risk, and expert next steps.
References:
* Al-Dujaili, E., & Tappin, D. (2020). Spironolactone: a comprehensive review of the adverse drug reactions associated with its use. *British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology*, *86*(1), 16-24. PubMed: 31710777
* Parikh, R., & Patel, P. R. (2020). Hyperkalemia with spironolactone: a review of current literature and management strategies. *Journal of Clinical Pharmacology*, *60*(10), 1269-1279. PubMed: 32420658
* Zaenglein, A. L., et al. (2019). Adverse effects of spironolactone in dermatology: a review of the literature. *Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology*, *81*(6), 1475-1481. PubMed: 31254641
* Moghadam, M., et al. (2021). Adverse effects of spironolactone in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. *European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology*, *264*, 148-154. PubMed: 34364239
* Li, Y., et al. (2018). Adverse effects of spironolactone in patients with heart failure: a systematic review. *Medicine*, *97*(33), e11964. PubMed: 30113426
Q.
Tired of Regrowth? Why Your Skin is Growing Hair & Medical Next Steps
A.
There are several factors to consider: persistent regrowth often comes from normal hair cycles, genetics, medications, temporary hormone shifts, or hormonal disorders like PCOS, and while shaving, waxing, and laser offer only temporary or partial reduction, electrolysis is the only FDA-recognized permanent solution. See below for the specific red flags that require medical evaluation, the tests to ask about, and how to pair medical treatment with electrolysis to prevent new growth while permanently removing existing hair so you can choose the safest, most effective next steps.
References:
* Miller JL, Genest AM. Evaluation and Management of Hirsutism. *Semin Reprod Med*. 2021 Nov;39(5-6):276-285. PMID: 34812301.
* Lausecker ML, Lausecker HL. Hypertrichosis. *J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol*. 2020 Jul;34(7):1389-1398. PMID: 32267571.
* Escobar-Morreale HF. Hair growth: focus on androgens. *Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes*. 2018 Aug;25(4):227-234. PMID: 30067634.
* Legro RS, Arslanian SA, Ehrmann DA, et al. Diagnosis and Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. *J Clin Endocrinol Metab*. 2013 Dec;98(12):4565-92. PMID: 24190831.
* Spring MA, Lausecker M. Hirsutism and hypertrichosis: a practical approach to diagnosis and treatment. *J Dtsch Dermatol Ges*. 2019 Jul;17(7):699-709. PMID: 31294862.
Q.
Unwanted Facial Hair? Why Your Body is Growing More & Medically Approved Next Steps for Hirsutism
A.
Unwanted facial hair in women is often hirsutism, most commonly from PCOS or insulin resistance, but it can also result from adrenal or ovarian disorders, certain medicines, or increased hair-follicle sensitivity. There are several factors to consider. See below for medically approved next steps, including red flags that need prompt care, how doctors confirm the cause with hormone testing and imaging, and proven treatments like lifestyle changes, birth control, antiandrogens, metformin, and laser or electrolysis.
References:
* Jahromi, B. M., & Hirsutism, P. C. O. S. (2023). Hirsutism in polycystic ovary syndrome: Pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. *Frontiers in Hormone Research*, *56*, 23-33. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36913867/
* Spritzer, P. M., & Bandeira, I. P. (2022). Hirsutism: Practical Approaches for Diagnosis and Treatment of Women with Excessive Body Hair. *Drugs*, *82*(4), 461-471. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35188049/
* Karim, S. A., & Rahman, O. (2021). Hirsutism: an update in diagnosis and treatment. *Journal of Endocrinological Investigation*, *44*(7), 1381-1393. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33249539/
* Rosenfield, R. L. (2020). Hirsutism. *Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism*, *34*(6), 101476. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33127209/
* Martin, K. A., & Chang, R. J. (2018). Diagnosis and treatment of hirsutism: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. *The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism*, *103*(10), 3943-3949. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30124976/
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Hirsutism - Cleveland Clinic
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14523-hirsutism