CLINICAL ASSESSMENT OF BODY HAIR GROWTH IN WOMEN

A method was developed for the semiquantitative assessment of body hair growth, and suitable for use in the study of clinical problems associated with hirsuties in women. Five gradings based on densities and areas involved, were determined for each of 11 sites. Findings from application of the method to a control group of 430 women (ages, 15–74 years) are reported. Hair tended to increase on the face and disappear from all other sites with advancing years. In younger age groups a significant amount of hair was found on the forearm and leg in most subjects, but a zero grading was much the commonest finding at all other sites. It is suggested that 2 factors may be involved: one of protective nature with main expression on the forearm and leg, and the other related to hormone levels or sensitivity, with clearest expression elsewhere. An “hormonal” score obtained by adding the gradings obtained from 9 of the 11 sites (excluding the forearm and leg) is being employed in clinical studies.