How to Identify Hirsutism

It is not easy to identify Hirsutism, and yet it affects between five and 10 percent of all women. There is an even a higher rate of women with this condition who also suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome. Hirsutism is an excessive and increased hair growth that can be attributed to high levels of male hormones. The female with this disorder has typical male hair growth patterns. Having Hirsutism can be very stressful, upsetting and embarrassing.

Instructions

• 1

  See if the woman has excessive hair growth on her face, such as a mustache, beard or sideburns. The hair will be dark, thick and coarse.

• 2

  Check to see if there is a thick hair growth on the woman's chest and back the same color as the hair on the woman's head. If thick hair is present in these areas, the woman suffers from a mild case of hirsutism.

• 3

  Look for excessive hair growth on the nipple area, upper abdomen, upper back, sternum, shoulders, buttocks and inner thighs. A woman that suffers from an advanced case of hirsutism will have a thick, dark, coarse hair in these areas.

• 4

  Ask the woman if she suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome.

• 5

  View the woman's head to see if she suffers from alopecia.

• 6

  Determine if there are any symptoms or signs of Cushing syndrome.