Excessive hair growth in women is known as hirsutism. It can be the result of heredity, hormonal imbalance, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This unwanted hair tends to be more of a problem for women than for men.
Hirsutism affects approximately 5-10% of women in Western societies and is more common in those of Mediterranean, South Asian, or Middle Eastern descent.
Hypertrichosis is the term for abnormal hair growth that can occur in either men or women.
Hirsutism is not the same as hypertrichosis, which refers to excess hair in areas that aren’t dependent on androgens (male hormones). Hirsutism is excess hair in areas where it’s typically seen in men, such as the face and lower abdomen. Hypertrichosis, on the other hand, can increase hair anywhere on the body.
