Causes of Excessive Hair Growth in Females

Sometimes females begin to notice hair growth in places where they do not want hair to grow. Sometimes the hair growth is accompanied by acne, irregular periods and weight gain. If this is happening to you, talk to your doctor.

Testosterone

• The main cause of excessive hair growth in females (also called hirsutism) is too much testosterone. Testosterone is a male-produced hormone. When women have too much of this hormone, they often experience unwanted hair growth.

Medical Conditions

• One of the main medical causes of excessive hair growth in females is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). There are other medical causes, such as a tumor on the adrenal gland or the ovaries, but they are not as common. Another possibility is Cushing's syndrome.

Other Causes

• Sometimes excessive hair growth in females is part of their genetic makeup, which rules out any hormonal imbalances. Because there are many causes, you'll want to determine why you're growing unwanted hair before you reverse or remove it.

Medication

• Some prescription medications cause excessive hair growth in females. Testosterone, anabolic steroids, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and danazol are some of the medications that can bring on excessive hair growth in females, according to MedLine Plus (an affiliate of the National Institute of Health).

Treatment

• You can find several ways to remove unwanted hair, some more expensive than others. Bleaching will lighten the hair, making it less noticeable. You can remove the hair by plucking, waxing or shaving. Other options that are effective, but also costly, include electrolysis and laser hair removal.