Age
Mortality/Morbidity
Frequency: International
Sex
Race
Frequency: United States
Ethnic origin significantly affects terminal hair growth in healthy women. Northern, fair-skinned Europeans have the least amount of terminal hair, whereas southern European, dark-skinned Mediterranean women have the greatest amount of terminal hair. The difference in the racial patterns of normal terminal hair growth may be related to genetic differences of 5-alpha-reductase activity in the skin.
As a medical problem, hirsutism predominates in women. Although hirsutism can occur in men, it is more difficult to recognize because of the wide variability of healthy male terminal hair growth. Hirsutism in prepubertal children occurs equally between sexes, is usually a sign of precocious puberty, and may signify a serious underlying disease.
The prevalence rates of hirsutism in northern Europe are similar to those in the United States; in other places, rates are not known with certainty.
The mortality and morbidity of hirsutism are determined by the underlying cause. Most women with idiopathic hirsutism have no associated mortality or morbidity. On the other extreme, a small number of women may have malignant disease with a grave prognosis.
Hirsutism affects approximately 10% of women in the United States.
The age of onset of hirsutism depends on the etiology. Most forms of nonneoplastic hirsutism become evident around puberty. This includes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), CAH, and idiopathic hirsutism
