Which hormone is primarily responsible for causing hirsutism?

Hirsutism, the condition characterized by excessive hair growth in women in areas typically associated with male-pattern hair, is primarily linked to elevated levels of androgens, specifically testosterone. Luteinizing hormone (LH) plays a critical role in regulating the production of these androgens in the ovaries.

When LH is secreted from the pituitary gland, it stimulates the ovaries to produce not only estrogen but also androgens. An imbalance wherein there is an increase in these androgens can lead to hirsutism. This hormonal interaction is crucial in the development of the condition, as it directly influences the amount of circulating testosterone that can result in excessive hair growth.

The other hormones listed, while important for various reproductive functions, are not primarily implicated in causing hirsutism. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) primarily regulates the development of ovarian follicles. Progesterone is primarily involved in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, and estrogen contributes to sexual development and reproductive processes but does not cause hirsutism directly.