Hirsutism in women is primarily due to an excess of which hormone?

• A. Excess prolactin
• B. Excess testosterone
• C. Excess estrogen
• D. Excess luteinizing hormone

Answer: (B)

Hirsutism in women primarily results from an excess of testosterone. This condition is characterized by the growth of excessive body and facial hair in areas where men typically grow hair due to increased androgen levels. Testosterone, which is an androgen, plays a significant role in hair follicle development and is a key factor in the regulation of hair growth patterns.

Elevated testosterone levels, whether due to ovarian dysfunction such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), adrenal hyperplasia, or other endocrine disorders, lead to the inappropriate growth of terminal hair in women, resulting in hirsutism.

While other hormones, such as prolactin and estrogen, play important roles in women's health, they are not directly linked to the development of hirsutism. Prolactin primarily regulates lactation and reproductive functions, while estrogen is critical for female reproductive health but does not cause hair growth in the patterns seen with hirsutism. Luteinizing hormone, involved in the ovulation process, does not directly influence hair growth. Therefore, excess testosterone is the primary contributing factor to hirsutism in women.