Table 1

Causes of hirsutism

Ovarian

  • ▶ Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (>80%)

  • ▶ Hyperthecosis

  • ▶ Ovarian tumours (sex cord stromal tumours; Sertoli–Leydig cell tumours; adrenal-like tumours of the ovary) (<1%)

Adrenal

  • ▶ Congenital adrenal hyperplasia [classical 1%; non-classical (late-onset) 3%]

  • ▶ Cushing syndrome (<1%)

  • ▶ Adrenal tumours (adenoma; carcinoma) (<1%)

Idiopathic

  • ▶ With raised androgens (5%)

  • ▶ Without raised androgens (7%)