Can you have mild hirsutism?

A score of 1 to 4 is given for nine areas of the body. A total score less than 8 is considered normal, a score of 8 to 15 indicates mild hirsutism, and a score greater than 15 indicates moderate or severe hirsutism. A score of 0 indicates absence of terminal hair. Information from references 5 and 6.

How do you test for hirsutism?

Tests that measure the amount of certain hormones in your blood, including testosterone or testosterone-like hormones, might help determine whether elevated androgen levels are causing your hirsutism. Your doctor might also examine your abdomen and do a pelvic exam to look for masses that could indicate a tumor.

Is hirsutism always dark?

Hirsutism is the excessive growth of facial or body hair on women. Hirsutism can be seen as coarse, dark hair that may appear on the face, chest, abdomen, back, upper arms, or upper legs. Hirsutism is a symptom of medical disorders associated with the hormones called androgens.

When does hirsutism develop?

The age of onset of hirsutism depends on the etiology. Most forms of nonneoplastic hirsutism become evident around puberty. This includes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), CAH, and idiopathic hirsutism.

Do I have hirsutism or am I just hairy?

The main difference between typical hair on a woman’s body and face (often called “peach fuzz”) and hair caused by hirsutism is the texture. Excessive or unwanted hair that grows on a woman’s face, arms, back, or chest is usually coarse and dark. The growth pattern of hirsutism in women is associated with virilization.

Do I have PCOS or am I just hairy?

Hairy arms and legs are not usually the result of abnormal hormone patterns, but rather reflect the woman’s family or ethnic background. “Midline” hair growth (e.g. upper lip, chin, abdomen, between the breasts and/or buttocks) is more suspicious for PCOS.

Why is my face hairy?

Excessive chin or facial hair, or suddenly increased growth in hair on any part of the face, may be a sign of a condition called hypertrichosis. The type of hypertrichosis specific to women is called hirsutism. It can cause dark, coarse hair growth on the chin, upper lip, chest, abdomen, and back.

Where does hirsutism start?

More advanced hirsutism will cause mature hair to grow on the upper back, shoulders, chest, and upper abdomen and usually begins during puberty. If hirsutism starts before or after puberty, the cause could relate to hormonal problems, and a doctor should evaluate the symptoms.

How does mild hirsutism look like?

A woman with the mildest form of hirsutism may notice significant growth of hair on the upper lip, chin, sideburn area, and around the nipples or lower abdomen. This hair will be mature hair, or hair that is the same color as that growing on the scalp.

Does PCOS make you hairy?

Because of an elevated level of testosterone – a hormone that is responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics – women with PCOS may experience hirsutism, the abnormal growth of body and facial hair, as well as thinning hair.