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- Agrawal, N. H. (2013, October). Management of hirsutism. Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 17(S1), S77-S82
- Agrawal, N. H. (2013, October). Management of hirsutism. Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 17(S1), S77-S82
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2016, November). Hirsutism: Overview
- Pavone, P., Pratico, A. D., Falsaperla, R., Ruggieri, M., Zollino, M., Corsello, G., & Neri, G. (2015, August 5). Congenital generalized hypertrichosis: the skin as a clue to complex malformation syndromes. Italian Journal of Pediatrics, 41, 55
- Pavone, P., Pratico, A. D., Falsaperla, R., Ruggieri, M., Zollino, M., Corsello, G., & Neri, G. (2015, August 5). Congenital generalized hypertrichosis: the skin as a clue to complex malformation syndromes. Italian Journal of Pediatrics, 41, 55
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What Are the Causes of Excessive Hair Growth in Girls?
Excessive hair growth, called hirsutism, can cause enormous embarrassment to young girls. Hirsutism is most often caused by an excess of male hormones, called androgens. Hair often grows in more typical male hair growth patterns in hirsutism, with facial hair and body hair in atypical female patterns. Other signs of excess male hormones, called virilization, may also occur, such as voice deepening, acne or an increase in genital size. A number of diseases can cause hirsutism 6.
Adrenocortical Carcinoma
Adrenocortical carcinoma occurs rarely in children, causing less than 0.2 percent of all childhood cancers, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital reports. Adrenocortical carcinoma can cause excess androgen production leading to hirsutism and other signs of virilization in girls. Treatment of adrenal gland carcinomas, which sometimes run in families, is surgical removal of the adrenal gland.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
What Causes Too Much Testosterone?
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Congenital adrenal hyperplasia affects the adrenal glands. It is a genetic abnormality that causes decreased production on enzymes necessary for cortisol production. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia leads to overproduction of male sex hormones, which can cause ambiguous genitalia in girls from enlargement of the clitoris, early puberty, acne and hirsutism. Medications to raise low levels of hormones such as cortisol can help reduce elevated androgen levels.
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia affects the adrenal glands.
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia leads to overproduction of male sex hormones, which can cause ambiguous genitalia in girls from enlargement of the clitoris, early puberty, acne and hirsutism.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids, medications that suppress the immune system, such as for cancer, autoimmune disease or severe asthma, can cause Cushing syndrome if taken long-term. Cushing’s syndrome occurs after prolonged exposure to natural or man-made forms of cortisol.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
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Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, the most common cause:
- of high androgen levels
- according to TeenHealth from Nemours
- occurs when the ovaries produce a larger than normal amount of male hormones
Girls with PCOS don’t normally have symptoms until adolescence, although early puberty can indicate potential PCOS. Obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and abnormal uterine bleeding and cancer occur more frequently in women with PCOS, which can be treated with medications such as birth control pills and medications to reduce androgen levels.
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References
- Agrawal, N. H. (2013, October). Management of hirsutism. Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 17(S1), S77-S82
- Bode, D., Seehusen, D. A., & Baird, D. (2012, February). Hirsutism in women. American Family Physician, 85(4), 373-380
- De Raeve, L., & Keymolen, K. (2011, June). Congenital hypertrichosis lanuginosa in a father and son. JAMA Dermatology, 146(6), 746-747
- Hypertrichosis. (n.d.)
- Hypertrichosis. (February 2016)
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2016, November). Hirsutism: Overview
- Pavone, P., Pratico, A. D., Falsaperla, R., Ruggieri, M., Zollino, M., Corsello, G., & Neri, G. (2015, August 5). Congenital generalized hypertrichosis: the skin as a clue to complex malformation syndromes. Italian Journal of Pediatrics, 41, 55
- Sachdeva S. Hirsutism: evaluation and treatment. Indian J Dermatol. 2010;55(1):3–7. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.60342
- National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Excessive or unwanted hair in women. Updated October 8, 2020.
Writer Bio
A registered nurse with more than 25 years of experience in oncology, labor/delivery, neonatal intensive care, infertility and ophthalmology, Sharon Perkins has also coauthored and edited numerous health books for the Wiley "Dummies" series. Perkins also has extensive experience working in home health with medically fragile pediatric patients.