What hirsutism means?
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Hirsutism (HUR-soot-iz-um) is a condition in women that results in excessive growth of dark or coarse hair in a male-like pattern — face, chest and back. With hirsutism, extra hair growth often arises from excess male hormones (androgens), primarily testosterone.
What is hirsutism caused by?
Hirsutism is a condition in which a woman develops excessive hair growth. Hirsutism may be caused by high levels of androgen, menopause-related hormone changes, or disorders of the adrenal glands or ovaries.
What is the difference between hirsutism and Virilism?
Hirsutism is the medical term that refers to the presence of excessive terminal (coarse) hair in androgen-sensitive areas of the female body (upper lip, chin, chest, back, abdomen, arms, and thighs). Virilization is more extensive than hirsutism with additional evidence of masculinization.
What is the medical term for hirsutism?
: excessive growth of hair of normal or abnormal distribution : hypertrichosis.
Why is my face hairy female?
Women develop excessive body or facial hair due to higher-than-normal levels of androgens, including testosterone. All females produce androgens, but the levels typically remain low. Certain medical conditions can cause a woman to produce too many androgens.
What are androgens in females?
Androgens are hormones that contribute to growth and reproduction in both men and women. Androgens are usually thought of as male hormones, but the female body naturally produces a small amount of androgens too. Androgen deficiency in women is a controversial concept.
What causes female facial hair?
Why do I have cheek hair?
Facial hair is a type of hair called “the androgenic hair“, which means that it grows in response to hormonal stimulation. The beard that grows on the cheeks, is also mostly controlled by the androgenic hormones, as it too is androgenic hair.
What is a virilism in medical terms?
Medical Definition of virilism 1 : precocious development of secondary sex characteristics in the male. 2 : the appearance of secondary sex characteristics of the male (as facial hair) in a female.
What is purulent in medical terms?
Medical Definition of purulent 1 : containing, consisting of, or being pus a purulent discharge a purulent lesion. 2 : accompanied by suppuration purulent meningitis.
What is hirsutism?
Hirsutism is excess hair most often noticeable around the mouth and chin. Hirsutism (HUR-soot-iz-um) is a condition in women that results in excessive growth of dark or coarse hair in a male-like pattern — face, chest and back.
What is the medical term for male pattern hair?
Overview. Hirsutism (HUR-soot-iz-um) is a condition of unwanted, male-pattern hair growth in women. Hirsutism results in excessive amounts of dark, course hair on body areas where men typically grow hair — face, chest and back.
What are the complications of hirsutism?
Hirsutism can be emotionally distressing. Some women feel self-conscious about having unwanted body hair. Some develop depression. Also, although hirsutism doesn’t cause physical complications, the underlying cause of a hormonal imbalance can.
Is there a permanent cure for hirsutism?
While there are generally no permanent cures for hirsutism, there are several treatments that can help reduce the appearance of unwanted facial and body hair.