What does hirsutism refer to?

Hirsutism specifically refers to excessive body hair growth in areas where males typically grow hair, and this condition can occur in females as well. It is often associated with hormonal imbalances, particularly involving androgens, which are male hormones that can lead to increased hair production in areas such as the face, chest, and back. This condition can significantly impact an individual's self-esteem and quality of life due to the unwanted appearance of body hair.

The other choices do not relate to hirsutism. Loss of hair is referred to as alopecia, malalignment of joints pertains to issues with joint positioning, and swelling of tissues is usually described as edema. Each of these terms describes different health concerns that are not connected to the excessive hair growth characteristic of hirsutism.