1. Hirsutism
Period 1
Table 5
By: Allison, Sebastian, Jeffery

2. Causes
• Hirsutism arises from excess male hormones called
androgens.

3. This excess of male hormones may come from:
•Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
•Genetics
•Tumors on the adrenal gland or ovaries
•Cushing’s Syndrome
•Anabolic steroids

4. Symptoms of Hirsutism include:
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Acne
• Loss of feminine body shape
• Signs of masculinity in females
Signs of masculinity are the main symptom of
this disease (particularly the growth of dark
and coarse hair on the face, chest, and back.)

6. • Hirsutism may also be caused by some
medications such as:
 Anabolic steroids
 Danazol
 Metoclopramide
 Methyldopa
 Phenothiazines
 Reserpine

8. • Affects both men and women
• However, most men are not diagnosed with this disease
because hair growth in these areas is not abnormal.
• 8% of adult women have Hirsutism

10. • One method of evaluating and quantifying Hirsutisnm is the
Ferriman-Gallwey score.
• This is a representation of hair growth in a male pattern on a
woman shown in four different degrees of severity in 9 different
body parts.
• The 9 body parts are:
 Upper lip
 Chin
 Chest
 Upper back
 Lower back
 Upper abdomen
 Lower abdomen
 Upper arms
 Thighs
 Legs
 Forearms
*Legs and forearms used to be a part of the Ferriman-Gallwey score
but are no longer included.

12. • The numbers are added up to a maximum count of 36.
• A final tally of 6 or more is enough to indicate Hirsutism

13. • There are no cures for this lifelong
disease.
• However, there are ways of dealing
with it:
 Plucking
 Shaving
 Waxing
 Chemical hair softeners
 Laser hair-removal
 Electrolysis (small needle is
inserted into the hair follicle, and a
small current of electricity is
applied to kill it )
 Estrogen containing medicines

14. Works Cited
•Dr. Anis (Jan 4, 2011). Hirsutism. Retrieved from
http://memyselfanis.wordpress.com/2011/01/04/hirsutism/
•Ferriman D, Gallwey JD (1961). Journal of Clinical Endocrinology. Retrieved
from Clinical assessment of body hair growth in women.
•Goodman N, Bledsoe M, Cobin R, Futterweit W, Goldzieher J, Petak S, Smith
K, Steinberger E (2001). Endocrine Practice. Retrieved from American
Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Hyperandrogenism Guidelines.
•MayoClinic staff (2012). Hirsutism. Retrieved from
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hirsutism/DS00858
•UMMC staff (2011). Hirsutism. Retrieved from
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hirsutism/DS00858
•Linda V (Feb 7, 2011). Excessive or Unwanted Hair in Women. Retrieved from
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003148.htm

15. Works Cited (continued)
•Melissa H, Peter C (June 15, 2003). Evaluation and Treatment of Women with
Hirsutism. Retrieved from http://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0615/p2565.html
•Ricardo A (May 2003). The Evaluation and Management of Hirsutism. Retrieved
from http://www.utilis.net/Morning%20Topics/Gynecology/Hirsutism.pdf
•Akhyani M, Danesh Pazhooh M, Barzegari M, Ghandi N, Ghiasi M, Chenari
Z, Soudavari S (2006). Frequency of Hirsutism. Retrived from
http://iranjd.ir/abstract.asp?articleID=1390
•Basil H (Aug 1, 2011). Dermatologic Manifestations of Hirsutism. Retrieved from
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1072031-overview
•Gold Bamboo (Feb 23, 2012). Hair Growth, Excessive. Retrieved from
http://www.goldbamboo.com/topic-t8224-a1-6Hirsuitism.htm
•Dr. Balasaraswathy (Sep 12, 2010) Skin Care N Cure. Retrieved from
http://www.skincarencure.com/hirsutism.htm
•Robert R (Dec 5, 2005). Hirsutism. Retrieved from
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp033496