What type of hirsutism has no identifiable cause?

Idiopathic hirsutism is characterized by excessive hair growth in women without an identifiable underlying medical condition or hormonal imbalance. This means that while the individual exhibits signs typical of hirsutism—such as excess hair on areas like the face, chest, or back—standard tests for conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or adrenal issues do not reveal any abnormalities.

In this context, when someone is diagnosed with idiopathic hirsutism, it implies that despite experiencing the symptoms, there is no discernible cause found through common diagnostic procedures. This stands in contrast to the other types mentioned, which usually have specific medical or physiological explanations behind them. Acquired hirsutism may result from certain medications or health issues that are identifiable, such as hormonal conditions. Iatric hirsutism refers to hair growth caused by medical treatments, such as hormone replacement therapy. Hormonal hirsutism specifically ties the hair growth to known hormonal imbalances or conditions affecting hormones.

Thus, idiopathic hirsutism is distinct due to its lack of identifiable causes, making it a specific classification of hirsutism that can be puzzling for both patients and healthcare providers.