Is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome a cause of excess body hair – hirsutism?
PCOS is one of the more common reasons for women becoming hirsute and this sign is in fact part of the definition of polycystic ovary syndrome. The biochemical changes associated with PCOS include increased levels of testosterone and reduced levels of SHBG which may result in increased male pattern hair distribution particularly on the moustache and beard areas of the face, the chest, back and lower abdomen. This may respond to medical treatments (hirsutism treatment).
