[Hirsutism].

OBJECTIVE: Overview of excessive hair growth in women, hirsutism. Although women with hirsutism typically present because of cosmetic concerns, the majority also have an underlying endocrine disorder.

DESIGN: Review article.

SETTING: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, General Faculty Hospital and 1st Faculty of Medicine of Charles Universtity, Prague.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hirsutism is a clinical diagnosis defined by the presence of excess terminal hair growth (dark, coarse hairs) in androgen-sensitive areas. It affects between five and ten percent of women of reproductive age. It may be the initial, and possibly only, sign of an underlying androgen disorder.

CONCLUSIONS: The most common cause of hirsutism is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In some cases, hirsutism is mild and requires only reassurance and local (nonsystemic) therapy, while in others it causes significant psychological distress and requires more extensive therapy. In case of rapid progressive hair growth should be first exclude androgen-secerning tumour (ovarian, adrenal) as the most serious condition.