Word parts
What it means
Extra coarse body hair in women where men usually grow it. It most often comes from high levels or high effect of male hormones (androgens), as in polycystic ovary syndromepol-ee-SIS-tik OH-vuh-ree SIN-drohmA hormone disorder in women in which the ovaries make more male hormones than usual and often do not release an egg each month.poly- manycyst/o sac-ic relating toFull entry , and less often from adrenal or ovarian tumors, Cushing syndrome or some drugs, such as anabolic steroids. Some people have it with no clear cause.
For the nurse
It can be very upsetting. Ask about it with care, note other changes such as acne, a deeper voice or irregular periods, and report them.
At a glance
| Spanish | hirsutismo |
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Related terms
polycystic ovary syndrome
A hormone disorder in women in which the ovaries make more male hormones than usual and often do not release an egg each month.
hyperpigmentation
Patches of skin that are darker than the skin around them.
testosterone
The main male sex hormone, made mostly in the testes and in small amounts by the ovaries and adrenal glands.