Ferriman–Gallwey score

The Ferriman–Gallwey score is a method of evaluating and quantifying hirsutism in women. The method was originally published in 1961 by D. Ferriman and J.D. Gallwey in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology.^[1]

The original method used 11 body areas to assess hair growth, but was decreased to 9 body areas in the modified method:

• Upper lip
• Chin
• Chest
• Upper back
• Lower back
• Upper abdomen
• Lower abdomen
• Upper arms
• Forearms (deleted in the modified method)
• Thighs
• Legs (deleted in the modified method)

In the modified method, hair growth is rated from 0 (no growth of terminal hair) to 4 (extensive hair growth) in each of the nine locations. A patient's score may therefore range from a minimum score of 0 to a maximum score of 36. With each ethnic group, the amount of hair expected for that ethnicity should be considered. For example, in Caucasian women, a score of 8 or higher is regarded as indicative of androgen excess.

The method was further modified in 2001 to include a total of 19 locations, with the 10 extra locations being: sideburns, neck, buttocks, inguinal area, perianal area, forearm, leg, foot, toes and fingers. Each area has its own specified definition of the four-point scale.^[2]

• "Ferriman Gallwey Evaluation of Hirsutism – Hirsutism.com". Archived from the original on 2020-04-14. Retrieved 2011-02-17.

• "American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Medical Guidelines for Clinical Practice for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hyperandrogenic Disorders". Retrieved 2022-12-06.