What is Hirsutism?

Hirsutism is defined as excessive hair growth in women in areas where men typically grow hair, particularly on the face, chest, and back. The condition is often due to an imbalance in hormones, particularly androgens, leading to increased hair growth in a male-pattern distribution. While it can manifest in various areas of the body, facial hair growth is especially significant and commonly associated with this condition, making it a primary focus in understanding and diagnosing hirsutism.

The other options describe conditions that are not characteristic of hirsutism. For instance, excessive hair growth on the back or any other body part does not singularly define hirsutism, as it broadly encompasses a female-specific response to androgen levels affecting hair growth on the face and other regions. Excess hair loss on the scalp relates to a different condition altogether, known as alopecia, while excessive sweating refers to hyperhidrosis, which is also unrelated to hirsutism. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the definition and implications of hirsutism in a clinical context.