What causes excessive body hair growth?

Mar 21, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Wenmin

Introduction

In general, excessive body hair growth may be caused by factors such as heredity, puberty, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Cushing's syndrome, hyperthyroidism, and others. Symptomatic management may involve general treatments, medication, and other approaches. In daily life, it is recommended to keep the skin clean and avoid using irritating products to help maintain skin health.

Generally, excessive body hair growth may be caused by genetic factors, puberty development, polycystic ovary syndrome, Cushing's syndrome, hyperthyroidism, and other reasons. Symptomatic treatment through general therapy, medication, and other methods is needed. If physical discomfort occurs, it is recommended to visit a hospital for examination and treatment as early as possible. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Genetic Factors

Hair growth and density are largely influenced by genetics. If family members have thick hair, offspring may likely exhibit similar traits. Usually, no special treatment is required; however, if appearance is affected, improvement can be achieved through trimming, shaving, or laser hair removal.

2. Puberty Development

During puberty, increased levels of androgens in the body promote hair growth, causing previously fine and soft hair to become coarse and grow faster, resulting in increased body hair. This may be accompanied by symptoms such as deepening voice, female breast development, and male muscle growth. As age increases, hair growth rate will gradually stabilize, and no special treatment is required.

3. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome arises from interactions among genetic factors, lifestyle, and other elements. Patients often have elevated androgen levels, which promote hair growth and lead to increased body hair. Additionally, polycystic ovary syndrome may cause symptoms such as menstrual irregularities and obesity. It is recommended to follow medical advice to use medications such as progesterone capsules, dydrogesterone tablets, letrozole tablets, and others to alleviate symptoms.

4. Cushing's Syndrome

Excess adrenal corticosteroids may lead to Cushing's syndrome. Patients experience elevated adrenal corticosteroid levels, which promote hair growth and result in increased body hair. This condition may also lead to symptoms such as obesity, hypertension, and osteoporosis. It is recommended to follow medical guidance in using medications such as mifepristone tablets, bromocriptine mesylate tablets, ketoconazole capsules, and others for treatment.

5. Hyperthyroidism

Autoimmune disorders, genetic factors, environmental influences, and other causes may lead to hyperthyroidism. Patients have elevated thyroid hormone levels, which promote hair growth and result in increased body hair. Additionally, thyroid hormones may cause symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, and weight loss. It is recommended to follow medical guidance in using medications such as methimazole tablets, propylthiouracil tablets, carbimazole tablets, and others to control thyroid hormone levels and improve symptoms.

In daily life, it is recommended to maintain clean skin and avoid using irritating products to help maintain skin health.

References

[1] Xiao Chun. Investigation on the Current Status of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Self-Management in Patients with Obesity-Type Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Their Psychological Experience [D]. Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, 2022.

[2] Wu Wenya. Skin Diseases Are Not Just Skin Problems [C]//Chinese Society of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Dermatology and Venereal Disease Committee. Proceedings of the 2016 National Academic Annual Meeting on Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Dermatology and Venereal Disease. The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University; 2016: 110.

View All

How to remove excessive body hair so that it won't grow back

In general, excessive body hair can be removed using methods such as depilatory creams, waxing, laser hair removal, cryolipolysis (ice-point hair removal), and semiconductor diode laser hair removal, to prevent further regrowth. It is recommended to visit a reputable hospital and undergo these procedures under the guidance of a qualified physician to ensure safety and effectiveness. After the procedure, it is important to maintain skin cleanliness to avoid infection and to follow a light diet.

View Full Answer

How to Examine the Causes of Excessive Body Hair Growth

Carefully examine areas with dense hair growth. If the hair growth is concentrated in androgen-dependent regions such as the face, chin, chest, and abdomen, and the hair is coarse, thick, and distributed in a male-pattern manner, it may indicate abnormal androgen levels. If there is overall and uniform increase in body hair, it might suggest other endocrine factors or systemic diseases. The underlying cause can be initially assessed based on the distribution pattern.

View Full Answer

What should I do if I have excessive body hair all over?

Generalized body hairiness may be caused by genetic factors, puberty, hirsutism, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, and other conditions, and can be improved according to the specific situation. Hair density and distribution can be influenced by genetics. If there is a family history of hirsutism, the likelihood of an individual developing hirsutism is relatively higher.

View Full Answer

What should a girl do if she has excessive body hair?

Excessive body hair in females may be caused by genetic factors, pubertal development, medication effects, hyperthyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and other conditions, and management can be tailored according to the specific situation. If women in the family tend to have heavy body hair, the individual's likelihood of developing hirsutism will be relatively higher. Excessive body hair caused by genetic factors can be improved through cosmetic methods.