Classification of Severity of Hirsutism

In 1961 Ferriman-Galwey published studies on 430 Caucasian women between the ages of 15-74 years based on patients seen in a hospital clinic. The system is based on 11 body sites with a severity score of 0 to 5 for the upper lip, chin, lower back, upper abdomen, arms, forearms, thigh and leg.

Score for the upper lip and chin

Grade 1 - a few hairs at the outer part of the upper lip/few scattered hairs on the chin

Grade 2 - small moustache at the outer margins of the upper lip/scattered hair with a small concentration on the chin

Grade 3 -moustache extending halfway from the outer margin of the upper lip/light complete coverage of the chin

Grade 4 -moustache on the entire upper lip/heavy growth on the entire chin