International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

An expert has said excessive hair growth - or hirsutism - is an important indicator of women's health and fertility problems.

Reproductive endocrinologist and president of Georgia Health Sciences University in the US Dr Ricardo Azziz called on doctors to conduct minimally invasive screenings of female patients to check for the problem.

Excessive hair growth is a key symptom of a range of conditions related to ladies' levels of male hormone androgen that are too high, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can reduce a woman's fertility.

Rather than doing full-body checks, a study led by Dr Azziz found hirsutism can be diagnosed accurately 80 per cent of the time through an assessment of the chin and abdomen alone.

"At least half the women with excess hair growth will be at increased risk for insulin resistance, metabolic dysfunction, diabetes and heart disease," the specialist said, noting the less invasive screening technique will make women feel more comfortable with being evaluated.

His investigation was published in the journal Fertility and Sterility.

According to NHS figures, PCOS is suffered by millions of women in the UK alone.

Posted by David Smith