Unwanted hair growth, particularly on the face, can be frustrating and impact self-confidence for many women. Having hair, especially on the chin and lips, may not necessarily mean you have PCOS. Excessive facial hair growth, including hair on the chin, can have various underlying causes, such as genetics, hormonal imbalances, and certain medical conditions. PCOS is one of the possible contributors, but it is not the only factor.
Usually, women have fine, light-coloured, barely noticeable hairs that grow above the lips or on the chin, chest, abdomen, or back. This usually develops during childhood. When there is excessive growth of dark or coarse hair, it is called hirsutism .
Hirsutism is excessively thick and dark-coloured hair growth in areas such as the upper lip, chin, back, chest, belly button, or inner thighs. It is due to an increase in male hormones. 70% to 80% of all people with PCOS develop hirsutism. Typically, women produce small amounts of male hormones(testosterone) in their bodies, just as males do female hormones. However, if you have PCOS, your body likely produces higher amounts of male hormones. In addition to PCOS, several other hormone disorders can also cause hirsutism.
Hirsutism in PCOS may be associated with other symptoms like irregular periods, persistent acne, and hair loss in the scalp. However, many diseases, including those affecting the thyroid, ovaries, adrenal or pituitary, can cause hirsutism.
It’s a good idea to see your doctor if you feel there is unusual hair growth.
Dr. Tittu Oommen MD, DM