Hirsutism is a pattern of excess terminal hair growth (dark, coarse hair) in the classic androgen-dependent areas (chin, upper lip, upper abdomen, chest, and back) in a woman.
Hypertrichosis, on the other hand, is the proliferation of light, unpigmented hair in non-androgen-dependent (non-sexual) areas. Hypothyroidism and medications like phenytoin and minoxidil can cause generalized hair growth (hypertrichosis).
Mnemonic
A simple mnemonic for recalling the endocrine causes of hirsutism during your examination (multiple choice questions or OSCE’s) is “HAIR On Chest”
- Hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, acanthosis nigricans (HAIR-AN syndrome)
- Hyperprolactinemia
- Adrenal carcinoma
- Acromegaly
- IR (Insulin Resistance of PCOS)
- Ovarian hyperthecosis
- Ovarian tumors
- Obesity
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (classic and non-classic)