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A relatively small number of women are able to grow enough facial hair to have a distinct beard. The condition is called hirsutism. It is usually the result of polycystic ovary syndrome which causes excess testosterone and an over-sensitivity to testosterone, thus (to a greater or lesser extent) results in male pattern hair growth, among other symptoms.
Hirsutism is excessive body hair on parts of the body where hair is normally absent or minimal. The word is from early 17th century: from Latin hirsutus meaning "hairy". [ 2 ] It usually refers to a male pattern of hair growth in a female that may be a sign of a more serious medical condition, [ 3 ] especially if it develops well after puberty ...
Hypertrichosis is often mistakenly classified as hirsutism. [1] Hirsutism is a type of hypertrichosis exclusive to women and children, resulting from an excess of androgen-sensitive hair growth. [16] Patients with hirsutism exhibit patterns of adult male hair growth. [1] Chest and back hair are often present on women with hirsutism. [16]
Hirsutism is characterized as the overgrowth of terminal hair in a typical male pattern distribution on a female's face and body. [3]
An androgen-dependent condition, disease, disorder, or syndrome, is a medical condition that is, in part or full, dependent on, or is sensitive to, the presence of androgenic activity in the body.
At the age of 12, Kaur was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), [4] which is due to elevated androgens (male hormones) in females. [5] [6] One of the symptoms of PCOS is hirsutism, or the ability to grow excessive facial and body hair. Kaur is able to grow a full beard as a result of her condition.
For example, in Caucasian women, a score of 8 or higher is regarded as indicative of androgen excess. The method was further modified in 2001 to include a total of 19 locations, with the 10 extra locations being: sideburns , neck , buttocks , inguinal area, perianal area, forearm , leg , foot , toes and fingers .
Women with hyperthecosis often have more markedly elevated testosterone, more hirsutism, and are much more likely to be virilized. [4] While elevated androgens in postmenopausal women is rare, [5] hyperthecosis can present in both premenopausal or postmenopausal women. Women with hyperthecosis may or may not have always had underlying PCOS. [6]