Short answer: Doctors check for hirsutism by scoring coarse, dark hair in 9 body areas on the modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mFG) scale. Under the Endocrine Society guideline, a score of 8 or more counts as hirsutism for Black and white women in the US and UK, but lower cutoffs apply in some groups, including many East Asian women.[1] Our self-check below uses the same 9 areas. It gives you an estimate to discuss with a doctor, not a diagnosis.
For each area, pick the drawing that best matches how it looks when you have not removed any hair. It takes about 2 minutes, and your answers stay in your browser.
Hirsutism self-check
This self-check uses the modified Ferriman-Gallwey scale, the same scale doctors use to assess hirsutism. You’ll see 9 body areas. For each one, pick the drawing that comes closest to how that area looks without any hair removal. It takes about 2 minutes, and your answers stay in your browser.
Your self-assessed score
Enter your email to get the Action Plan and a printable doctor visit checklist: what your score means, which tests to ask about, and which treatments have evidence behind them.
A self-assessment is an estimate, not a diagnosis. Scores can be off if you remove hair regularly, and cut-off values differ between ethnic groups. Whatever your score, if the hair growth bothers you or appeared suddenly, talk to a doctor.
How to score yourself
The mFG scale rates 9 areas from 0 (no coarse hair) to 4 (heavy growth): Upper lip, chin, chest, upper back, lower back, upper abdomen, lower abdomen, upper arms and thighs.[4][6] Only terminal hair counts. That is the thick, dark hair that grows on a man's face. Fine, light "peach fuzz" (vellus hair) does not count. Read more about the scale in our guide to the Ferriman-Gallwey score.
- Score each area as it looks without shaving, waxing, plucking or laser. If you remove hair regularly, think back to how it looked before, or let it grow out for a few weeks if you feel comfortable doing so.
- Hair removal makes your score look lower than it is. Both major guidelines warn that cosmetic treatment can make accurate scoring impossible.[1][2]
- When you are torn between two drawings, pick the lower one, and note the area to mention to your doctor.
What your score means
The total ranges from 0 to 36. Our tool sorts your result into these bands:
| Score | Our tool's band | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 8 | Within the usual range | Not hirsutism under the Endocrine Society cutoff for Black and white women. A score of 4-7 can still count in some groups (see below). |
| 8-15 | Mild | Hirsutism is likely. A doctor's visit and blood tests are worth considering. |
| 16-25 | Moderate | Hirsutism is likely. Ask a doctor about testing to find the cause. |
| Over 25 | Severe | Extensive growth. See a doctor, especially if it developed quickly. |
The mild, moderate and severe bands help you compare and track your score. The guidelines focus on the cutoff that defines hirsutism.
Why the cutoff depends on your background
How much body hair is typical differs between ethnic groups. The Endocrine Society uses a cutoff of 8 or more for Black and white women in the US and UK, 9-10 for Mediterranean, Hispanic and Middle Eastern women, and 6 for South American women. For Asian women, the cutoffs range from 2 for Han Chinese women to 7 for Southern Chinese women.[1] The 2023 International guideline for PMOS, previously called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), uses a lower cutoff of 4-6, depending on ethnicity.[2][7] A 2025 study of 9,829 unselected women in 8 countries backed these lower cutoffs. It found 5 for Han Chinese and Black American women, and 4 for white American and Korean women.[3]
This means a score under 8 does not rule out hirsutism, especially if you are of East Asian descent. Your concern is valid even with a low score. In a study of 633 unselected US women, about 7 in 10 of those who scored 3 or more considered themselves hirsute.[4]
The limits of scoring yourself
- Self-scores often differ from a doctor's. In a small study of 21 women with PCOS, the scores from patients, doctors and research nurses were "quite discrepant."[5] The Endocrine Society says self-scoring correlates only modestly with scoring by a trained observer.[1]
- The scale leaves out some areas, such as the sideburns and buttocks.[1]
- It does not capture other signs that matter, such as irregular periods, acne or thinning scalp hair.
What to do next
- Score at or above your cutoff: The Endocrine Society suggests blood tests for androgens (male-type hormones such as testosterone) in all women with an abnormal score.[1] See how hirsutism is diagnosed and which doctor to see.
- Score below the cutoff, regular periods: The guideline suggests against hormone testing for unwanted hair in just one area.[1] A 2025 expert review takes a broader view: Any woman who is bothered by unwanted hair should be checked for underlying causes, whatever her score.[6] You can also go straight to hair removal options.
- Learn about causes: PMOS (formerly PCOS) is the most common cause of hirsutism.[6] Read what causes hirsutism.
When to see a doctor urgently
Ask for an urgent appointment if thick, dark hair suddenly starts growing on your face and body, if your voice is getting deeper, or if your muscles are getting bigger.[8] An enlarged clitoris or rapidly worsening growth can also signal a rare androgen-producing tumor.[1] Irregular or missing periods are worth checking too. See what virilization is.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal Ferriman-Gallwey score?
For Black and white women in the US and UK, a score under 8 is considered normal under the Endocrine Society guideline. Newer guidance puts the cutoff at 4-6 depending on ethnicity.[1][2]
Can I have hirsutism with a low score?
Yes, particularly if you belong to a group with lower cutoffs, or if hair removal is hiding your hair growth.[1][3]
Is this quiz a diagnosis?
No. It is an estimate. Only a clinical exam, plus blood tests where needed, can diagnose hirsutism and find its cause.[1]
Key takeaways
- The self-check scores coarse, dark hair in 9 areas from 0 to 4.
- A score of 8 or more is the Endocrine Society cutoff for Black and white women in the US and UK. Lower cutoffs (4-6) apply in many groups.
- Self-scores are less reliable than a trained examiner's, and hair removal lowers them.
- Sudden hair growth, a deepening voice or other signs of virilization need prompt medical attention.
Sources
- Martin KA, Anderson RR, Chang RJ, et al. Evaluation and Treatment of Hirsutism in Premenopausal Women: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018;103(4):1233-1257. PubMed 29522147
- Teede HJ, Tay CT, Laven JJE, et al. Recommendations From the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023;108(10):2447-2469. PubMed 37580314
- Bizuneh AD, Joham AE, Tay CT, et al. The PCOS Phenotype in Unselected Populations study: ethnic variation in population-based normative cut-offs for defining hirsutism. Eur J Endocrinol. 2025;192(3):228-239. PubMed 40036973
- DeUgarte CM, Woods KS, Bartolucci AA, et al. Degree of facial and body terminal hair growth in unselected black and white women: toward a populational definition of hirsutism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(4):1345-1350. PubMed 16449347
- Wild RA, Vesely S, Beebe L, et al. Ferriman Gallwey self-scoring I: performance assessment in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005;90(7):4112-4114. PubMed 15827102
- Azziz R, Amiri M, Bril F, et al. Approach to the Patient: Hirsutism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2025;110(10):e3503-e3519. PubMed 40200552
- Teede HJ, Bahri Khomami M, Morman R, et al. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. Lancet. 2026;407(10545):2329-2339. PubMed 42119588
- NHS. Excessive hair growth (hirsutism). Accessed October 2026. Link
This article is for education and is not medical advice. Talk to a doctor about diagnosis and treatment.