What are the causes of a moustache? | Facial hair

What are the causes of a moustache?

There are several reasons why women get a moustache. The most common and harmless cause is a genetic predisposition. If a hormonal change occurs during puberty, the typical sexual hair develops in both men and women, including, for example, armpit hair and hair in the genital area.

This process is controlled by the so-called androgens, the sex hormones, which include testosterone. Among these hormones, beard growth also develops in men, as the hair roots of the man’s face react very sensitively to testosterone. If a woman also develops a beard during puberty, her genetic disposition may be responsible.

In this case, the hair cells of the woman’s face are also more sensitive to testosterone and that is why a woman’s moustache develops. This then often affects the female relatives. The hormone balance of the woman also changes with the onset of menopause.

As less female sex hormones are now produced (e.g. oestrogen), male body hair can appear like a woman’s beard. However, a pathological change in the hormone balance can also be responsible for the development of a moustache. For example, the production or conversion of androgens may be increased and women suddenly show male appearance traits such as a woman’s beard.

Medically this is called hirsutism. It can be caused by disorders of the ovaries, e.g. in the context of polycystic ovarian syndrome or by ovarian tumours. Also an overproduction of the hormone cortisone (e.g. also by taking medication) can lead to “masculinisation” of the woman.

In addition, hirsutism is also present in diabetes mellitus, severe overweight or diseases of the adrenal gland. It is therefore recommended that in case of sudden appearance of male hair, e.g. in the form of chest hair or a woman’s beard, the family doctor or gynaecologist should be consulted in order to exclude possible pathological causes.