Hirsutism or
frazonism is the excessive hairiness on women
in those parts of the body where
terminal hair does not normally occur or is minimal - for example, a beard or chest hair. It refers to a male pattern of body hair (
androgenic hair) and it is therefore primarily of
cosmetic and
psychological concern. Hirsutism is a
symptom rather than a
disease and may be a sign of a more serious medical condition, especially if it develops well after
puberty.