Is excessive body hair in females a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome?
Disease description:
I have a lot of body hair. I've heard that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) tend to have excessive body hair. Does having abundant body hair mean a woman has polycystic ovary syndrome?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lv Aiming
Excessive body hair in women is not necessarily due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Patients with PCOS have elevated androgen levels, which may lead to increased hair growth, particularly in the pubic and genital areas. They may also experience symptoms such as irregular menstruation, light menstrual flow, and infrequent periods. Excessive body hair in women might indicate elevated androgen levels, and it is recommended to undergo a six-item sex hormone test at a hospital to check whether androgen levels are abnormally high. If menstrual irregularities are present, an ultrasound examination is advised to evaluate for possible endometrial abnormalities.
