Background: Hirsutism in women is identified as the increasing growth of terminal hair in areas of skin that are sensitive to androgen. The most common causes of hirsutism are PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and idiopathic hirsutism. The role of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia as the most important pathogenesis mechanism of PCO is quite obvious, but there is not enough information on the role of insulin resistance in idiopathic hirsutism. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 16 to 40 year old women. Medical history and physical examination were completed for patients with PCOS and idiopathic hirsutism. Hormonal tests and sonography were run for both groups and insulin resistance was assessed using HOMA-IR formula. Data were analyzed using SPSS version. 17. Results: Mean of serum insulin levels in PCOS and idiopathic hirsutism groups were 16.04±1.4 and 7.32±6.85 µIu/ml, respectively (P<0.001). HOMA-IR values in PCOS and idiopathic hirsutism groups were 3.7± 3.36 and 1.67±1.75, respectively (P< 0.001). Mean of serum DHEA-S levels in PCOS and idiopathic hirsutism groups were 2.48±1 and 1.84±0.46 pg/ml, respectively (P< 0.001). These findings indicated a significant difference between the two groups. However, in terms of serum glucose, testosterone, androstendione, and follicular hormones levels, there were not any significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: In both PCOS and idiopathic groups, there was a significant relationship between hirsutism and insulin resistance. This relationship, however, was more significant the PCOS group

Keywords: Hirsutism, HOMA-IR, idiopathic hirsutism, polycystic ovary syndrome

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