Etymed
hirsutism
Definition
A condition characterized by excessive hair growth in women, typically in a male pattern
Clinical context
A 28-year-old woman presents to the gynecology clinic with concerns about excessive facial and body hair growth that has developed over the past year. She reports no significant medical history but mentions her mother and maternal aunt also had similar hair growth patterns. Physical examination reveals terminal hair growth on the face, chest, and abdomen in a male pattern distribution. The patient is otherwise healthy with regular menstrual cycles.
Mnemonic
Hirsutism = Hair in unusual places, often due to excess androgens