Hirsutism and Virilization
February 1980
in “
BMJ. British medical journal
”
Studysummary This article reviews hirsutism, its causes, cultural perceptions, and symptoms, but provides no new clinical findings beyond existing descriptions and statistics on hair growth patterns in women.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The document describes hirsutism as the presence of coarse body hair, which is a response to androgenic stimulation and is influenced by both genetic and hormonal factors. Cultural perceptions of body hair vary globally, affecting what is considered socially acceptable. Although hirsutism is not a disease itself, it can cause significant distress depending on cultural norms. The document also notes that a substantial number of women normally have facial hair, with 30% having hair on the upper lip, 9% on the chin, and 6% on the sides of the face. Virilisation is characterized by hirsutism accompanied by other signs such as a deepened voice, clitoromegaly, temporal hair recession, breast atrophy, and increased muscle mass, which warrant thorough medical investigation.
