Hyperandrogenism

Hyperandrogenism, also called androgen excess, refers to abnormally elevated levels of male hormones (androgens) in women, and it is one of the defining features of PCOS, present in 60-100% of diagnosed cases. It can manifest clinically through visible symptoms like excess facial and body hair growth (hirsutism), persistent acne, male-pattern hair thinning, and oily skin, or biochemically through elevated testosterone, DHEA-S, or androstenedione on blood tests. In PCOS, hyperandrogenism occurs because insulin resistance and disrupted hormonal signaling stimulate the ovaries and adrenal glands to overproduce androgens, which in turn suppress normal follicle development and ovulation.