Excessive Hair Growth

Most women have fine hair in places such as the upper lip, chin, arms, abdomen or back. Having coarse or dark hair in these areas can however be a source of embarrassment affecting day to day life.

The exact cause of unwanted hair (hirsutism) can be difficult to determine though the condition usually runs in families and is generally harmless. The most common causes of excess hair growth are:

A surplus of male hormones which is often an imbalance associated with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
Excessive hair growth can also be a symptom of Insulin Resistance.
Unwanted hair can also be associated with the use of certain medicines (such as anabolic steroids).

In order to determine whether your hair growth may be due to your hormone levels, a simple blood test can be taken and the results analysed in conjunction with a transvaginal scan.