Hirsutism is excessive growth of facial or body hair in women. It is not a disease. The condition usually develops during puberty and becomes more pronounced as the years go by. However, an inherited tendency, over-production of male hormones (androgens), medication, or disease, can cause it to appear at any age.

Women who have hirsutism usually have irregular menstrual cycles. They sometimes have small breasts and deep voices, and their muscles and genitals may become larger than women without the condition.

In those cases in which the cause is not clear, hirsutism is probably hereditary, because there is often a family history of the disorder.

"Secondary" hirsutism is most often associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, an inherited hormonal disorder characterized by menstrual irregularities, biochemical abnormalities, and obesity. This type of hirsutism may also be caused by malfunctions of the pituitary or adrenal glands, use of male hormones or...