Hirsutism – Symptoms & Causes – Mayo Clinic

Tier 1: Established: peer-reviewed research or government health authority
Publisher: Mayo Clinic · Published: January 1, 2024 · Accessed: August 18, 2026

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Claims this source supports

• With hirsutism, extra hair growth often happens due to excess male hormones called androgens; the main androgen involved is testosterone.
• Hirsutism hair growth typically appears on the face (upper lip, chin), chest, back, and other areas where hair is usually minimal in women.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of hirsutism, along with other conditions that affect hormone levels; sometimes no cause is found.
• Self-care methods – shaving, plucking, waxing, depilatories, bleaching – may be useful for removing unwanted hair, and medical treatment is available for those who wish to treat hirsutism itself.
• Sudden, rapid-onset hair growth or hair growth paired with other symptoms (deepening voice, acne, irregular periods) can signal an underlying condition worth a clinician conversation.