ABSTRACT
Hirsutism is defined as an excessive growth of terminal hair with a male pattern distribution in women. This male pattern distribution is in androgen dependent areas like the chin, upper lip, chest, breast, abdomen, back, and anterior thighs. Approximately 5–10% of women of reproductive age present with signs of hirsutism. Hirsutism results from the interaction between an increase in circulating endogenous or exogenous serum androgens and an increased sensitivity of the hair follicle to androgens and local growth factors. Adrenal hyperplasia is due to a congenital deficiency of one of the enzymes involved in the synthesis of adrenal corticosteroids. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is the most common cause of hirsutism in women. The syndrome is characterized by menstrual irregularity and hyperandrogenism. Hirsutism in pregnancy can be due to luteoma of pregnancy, hyper-reaction luteinalis, or aromatase deficiency in the fetus. Iatrogenic Hirsutism tends to be localized to the lateral aspects of the face and back.
