Which term describes a condition of hair growth caused by prolonged exposure to cortisol?

• A. Hypopigmentation
• B. Cushing's syndrome
• C. Hyperpilosity
• D. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

Answer: (B)

Prolonged exposure to high cortisol levels produces a systemic condition called Cushing's syndrome. When cortisol remains elevated over time, the body can show a range of signs, and increased hair growth (hirsutism) is one of the manifestations often noted in affected individuals. So the term that describes the condition arising from sustained cortisol exposure is Cushing's syndrome, which accounts for hair growth as part of its symptom profile. Hypopigmentation is not related to cortisol in this context, hyperpilosity describes the hair growth itself but not its underlying cause, and PCOS is driven by different hormonal factors, not cortisol.