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Hairiness
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
There are two types of hair growth: male and female: male hair growth is characterized by the growth of long hair on the face (beard and moustache), as well as coarser vellus hair on the chest, back, and legs.
Hirsutism is excessive hair growth in women, expressed by the appearance of a moustache and beard, hair growth on the trunk and limbs, and occurs as a result of an excess of androgens (male sex hormones) circulating in the blood.
The following conditions may be the causes of hyperandrogenemia.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome.
- Menopause or ovarian failure.
- Virilizing (androgen-secreting) adrenal tumors.
- Taking medications: progestogens (included in hormonal contraceptives), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), glucocorticoids, anabolic steroids, cyclosporines.
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