Hirsutism: Classification

Severity hirsutism

For objectification, the Baron assessment or the Ferriman-Gallwey score have proven useful.

Assessment according to Baron

Grade Description
Grade I (light)
  • Hairline from the genital area to the navel,
  • Hairiness upper lip, perimamillary
Grade II (intermediate) Same as Grade I, plus:

  • Hairiness chin, inner thighs.
Grade III (strong) Same as grade II, plus:

  • Hairiness presternal area, back, buttocks, shoulders.

Ferriman-Gallwey score

Localizations Score Points
1 2 3 4
Upper lip little hair outside little beard outside upper lip beard almost to midline Beard up to midline.
Chin scattered hairs Hair accumulation complete hair cover dense complete hair cover
Chest single periareolar hairs in the midline 3/4 covered completely covered
Back single hair several hairs complete hair cover dense complete hair cover
Loin sacral hair pad pad with lateral extension 3/4 covered complete hair cover
Upper abdomen little hair in the midline more than (1) but still in the area of the midline half hairline complete hair cover
Lower abdomen Some hair in the midline line of hairs at the center line Band of hairs inverted V
Upper arm discreet hair more, still no closed hair cover half hair cover complete hair cover
Thigh discreet hair more, still no closed hair cover half hair cover complete hair cover
Total score

Assessment: hirsutism exists with a total score > 8; areas without hair are scored as 0