QUESTION
Which kind of hair grow should be considered normal for women health? How to use the Ferriman–Gallwey score during hirsutism?
Ferriman–Gallwey score – ANSWER from experts
The Ferriman Gallwey scoring system (Ferriman DM, Gallwey JD.,1961) is used to score the degree of excess body hair (hirsutism) by doctors. Since 1961 it called Ferriman-Gallwey score.
It is very easy to use Ferriman–Gallwey score by using the picture (see below).
Hirsutism
The scorecard of every body location under survey begins from 0 (no excessive terminal hair growth) to 4 (extensive terminal hair growth) and the numbers are added up to a maximum count of 36. It is pretty easy evaluate the hirsutism with objective scores.
If you would like to check your Ferriman-Gallwey hirsute score, do the following:
1. Look at the picture and select your hair grow distribution in all introduced 9 body parts;
2. Select the adequate score from selected picture;
3. Write hirsutism score of each line (lips, chin, breasts, abdomen, pubic area, hands, legs and back). The arithmetical sum of hirsutism in all evaluated parts will be your Ferriman-Gallwey Score.
Ferriman-Gallwey hirsute score
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| Ferriman-Gallwey score (sum) |
Suggestion | Recommendation |
| 1 – 9 | Idiopathic hirsutism | Medical examination is not recommended. Avoid sun and creams. |
| 10 – 16 | Transition period | Evaluate during 3-6 months. If the growth will be noted – visit your doctor. |
| 17 – 40 | Hirsutism (symptom of diseases) |
It is strongly recommended to make hormonal tests and discover the main reason of hirsutism and treatment |
| 41 – 44 | Severe Hirsutism (tumors?) |
Urgently visit your doctor. Some tumors could provoke severe hirsutism |
