Hirsutism is defined as excessive androgen-dependent hair growth in women following a male facial or central body distribution, mediated by hair follicle sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the most biologically active androgen, and distinguished from virilization, a more severe hyperandrogenic state marked by temporal balding, voice deepening, breast atrophy, increased muscularity, and clitoromegaly. This belongs to gynecologic endocrinology, encompassing the physiology of androgen production by the adrenal cortex and ovary, hair follicle growth-phase biology, and the differential evaluation of androgen excess, including rare androgen-secreting neoplasms.
Hirsutism is defined as excessive androgen-dependent hair growth in women following a male facial or central body distribution, mediated by hair follicle sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the…