The National Institutes of Health explain that most women grow a certain amount of facial hair. This hair is usually fine and lacking much pigmentation, making it difficult to see with the naked eye. But some women experience facial hair growth typically seen in men. In this situation, they're often suffering from a condition known as hirsutism, which is marked by an excessive amount of hair growth on the upper lip and chin. It may also cause hair to grow on the chest, abdomen and back. The exact cause of hirsutism varies from woman to woman.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
A common cause of unwanted facial hair growth is polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, notes the Mayo Clinic. With PCOS, a woman suffers from an imbalance in hormones, most notably androgens, or male sex hormones. All women have some level of these hormones in the body. But with PCOS, this level is abnormally high, which can stimulate male-pattern facial hair growth.
Cushing's Syndrome
Cushing's Syndrome is another cause of excessive facial hair growth in women, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. This condition is triggered by exposure to abnormally high levels of cortisol, a steroidal hormone aiding the metabolism, blood pressure and immune response. When levels are high, either from the body's production of excess cortisol or long-term corticosteroid use, this begins to affect the balance of sex hormone, increasing androgen levels. This can result in male-pattern facial hair growth.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
The National Institutes of Health list congenital adrenal hyperplasia as another cause of excessive hair growth in women. This condition is a genetic disorder inherited from one of the parents. It causes the adrenal gland to produce abnormally high levels of cortisol and androgens, creating a hormonal imbalance that can lead to facial hair on women.
Hyperthecosis
Hyperthecosis can also cause unwanted hair growth in women, asserts the National Institutes of Health. With this condition, the ovaries cause the hormonal imbalance by producing abnormally high levels of androgens. As already mentioned, excessive androgens in women can encourage facial hair growth.
Genetics
Genetics is another common cause of facial hair growth, indicates the Mayo Clinic. Approximately half the women with hirsutism have normal androgen levels, so it's often linked to a genetic trait. The American Academy of Family Physicians explains that women from the Mediterranean, Middle East and South Asia are more likely to face this hair growth pattern.
Tumors
Though not as common as other causes, tumors can also lead to abnormal facial hair growth in women. When this is the cause, the tumors are normally located on the adrenal gland or ovaries, maintains the Mayo Clinic.
Both locations can cause an imbalance in sex hormones.
Medications
It's also possible for certain medications to cause facial hair growth. Beside corticosteroids, the National Institutes of Health list danazol, phenytoin, glucocorticoid, cyclosporine, minoxidil, and testosterone as the more common drugs that trigger hirsutism. All of these medications can lead to hormonal imbalances.
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