All women have body hair, and the amount is largely determined by our genetic makeup. However, if you have developed excessive amounts of coarse, dark hair on body areas where men typically have lots of hair but women don't (e.g. face, chest, upper pubic diamond), you may have a condition called hirsutism. Such male pattern body hair growth is a cause of cosmetic and psychological concern to many women. 

Hirsutism is usually caused by an increased level of androgens (male hormones), such as testosterone. Androgens boost male pattern hair growth and intensify the pigmentation of body hair. They may also cause hair loss on the scalp or even baldness.

Hirsutism has also been strongly associated with being overweight or obese, and with problems related to blood sugar balance such as insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body does not respond to normal levels of insulin, and as a result, the body secretes more insulin into the bloodstream in an effort to reduce blood glucose levels. Some researchers believe that high levels of insulin might in fact be the cause increased androgen production. They speculate that insulin in high concentrations stimulates women's ovaries to produce androgens. Hirsutism may also be a symptom of such conditions as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Cushing's disease, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, tumors in the ovaries or adrenal gland, or stromal hyperthecosis.