• Too much androgen secretion: Many women secrete too much androgen as a result of conditions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) or Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD), which affects 6-10 percent of the general female population and accounts for half of all hormonal disorders affecting female fertility. Because androgen levels are out of whack, PCOS sufferers can develop abnormally excessive facial or body hair. For more information on PCOS, visit www.PCOSupport.org.
• Genetics: Some clinicians will cite “racial” or “familial” genes as a cause of Hirsutism, but this isn’t an authentic cause per se. Having said that, if you’re of Mediterranean descent, you are more likely to experience noticeable or “unwanted” hair growth that a blonde Scandinavian woman may not.
• Stress: In response to stress, your adrenal glands pump out “stress hormones” or catecholamines that speed up your body. But since your adrenal glands also make androgen, increased stress can also increase circulating androgens in your bloodstream, which can cause Hirsutism.
• Obesity: Certain body types (wherein more of the weight is carried in the upper body) are more susceptible to Hirsutism because they are associated with insulin resistance. Also, fat cells can make androgen just as they can make estrogen.
• Overactive adrenal glands: This is a side effect of tumors resulting from certain pituitary diseases, such as Cushing’s Disease (for more information, visit the National Adrenal Disease Foundation at www.medhelp.org/nadf). Cushing’s Disease and PCOS are often accompanied by irregular periods.
• Oversensitive hair follicles: Some of us are genetically wired with hair follicles that are simply more sensitive to androgens.
• Side effects of certain drugs: Many drugs can cause either androgen secretion and Hirsutism, or the opposite—hair loss or alopecia. As a general rule, when taking either a prescription or an over-the-counter drug, be sure to ask about common side effects. Drugs that commonly cause hair growth in women include: Dilantin (used to control seizures), Danazol (used in extreme cases of endometriosis), Cyclosporine, Steroids (used in a variety of drugs, particularly asthma medications)
• Oral contraceptives: Certain OCs can increase circulating androgen levels, while others decrease them. For a list, please Click Here (.pdf) to view the PDF article on drug induced Hirsutism by International Hair Route Magazine or read the appropriate section in Dr. Rosenthal's book Women and Unwanted Hair
• Insulin resistance & Diabetes: This is when your cells stop responding to the insulin your pancreas makes. Too much insulin can actually cause Hirsutism. For more information, see The Diabetes Page located on Dr. Rosenthal's web page.
• Thyroid disorders: Certain thyroid disorders could cause Hirsutism. Once your thyroid problem is treated, however, it’s likely no new hairs will be stimulated to grow.
• Rare endocrine disorders: An increase in androgen levels can result from a number of very rare endocrine diseases, such as Hyperandrogenic-Insulin Resistant-Acanthosis Nigricans (Hairan) Syndrome.

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