When women have unwanted or excessive hair growth
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When women have unwanted or excessive hair growth
About 5% of women in the U.S. experience a condition called hirsutism which is excessive hair growth or hair growth in unwanted areas. It can occur in both men and women but for women, it is often more of a cosmetic concern than for men. No woman wants to have a lot of hair growing in places where it normally does in men such as their upper lip, chin, chest, armpits, stomach, or back.
All women have facial and body hair but generally the hair is very fine and light in color. What distinguishes hirsutism from normal hair growth in women is that the hair is often dark and coarse, instead of the light, fine “peach fuzz” that covers most of the body. The growth pattern of hirsutism in women is similar to that of normal hair growth in men.
What causes hirsutism in women?
For women, having noticeable excess body hair can be embarrassing however the condition is not a health hazard. But if the excess body hair is due to a hormonal imbalance, then it could lead to compromising a woman’s health.
The reasons for hirsutism in women are many. Why one woman has it can be entirely different from another woman who has this condition. Here are some possibilities as to why women may develop hirsutism:
· Women with higher-than-normal levels of male hormones called androgens which include testosterone. Women do produce androgens but at a much lower level than men.
· Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can be another common cause of hirsutism. Benign cysts form on the ovaries affecting hormone production which leads to irregular menstrual cycles and reduced fertility. These same women often also suffer from moderate-to-severe acne and a tendency to be overweight.
· Other forms of hormonal imbalances leading to excessive hair growth can be due to adrenal gland disorders such as adrenal cancer, adrenal tumors, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, or Cushing disease.
· Medications can be another culprit in the cause of hirsutism. These medications that could possibly lead to excessive body or facial hair growth include minoxidil, anabolic steroids, testosterone, and cyclosporine.
· Women how have a close female relative with hirsutism such as their mother, sister, or grandmother, are more likely to also have unwanted hair growth.
Diagnosing hirsutism
Any woman who has noticed a greater amount of unwanted facial or body hair should consult with her physician for an accurate diagnosis of hirsutism. Most likely blood tests will be used to help determine the condition and to measure hormonal levels. To check for the presence of any tumors or cysts, an ultrasound or MRI may be ordered to determine this.
Treating hirsutism
Once a diagnosis has been made and it is found that the reason for the unwanted hair growth is hirsutism, then a plan for treatment can be made. If it is because of symptoms of an adrenal disorder or PCOS, drug therapy in the form of anti-androgen medications and birth control pills can help balance hormone levels.
If cysts are found on the ovaries, birth control pills may be used to help shrink them. It may take up to three to six months of drug therapy before a woman may notice an improvement.
A doctor may prescribe eflornithine cream to reduce the growth of facial hair which should begin to subside after one to two months. However, there can be side effects of a skin rash and irritation from the medication.
Another form of treatment for women who are overweight to obese is to lose weight. Reaching and maintaining a healthier body weight can change the way a woman’s body produces and processes hormones which may correct the level of androgens without the use of medications.
Hair removal techniques are another option women can consider. Laser hair removal and electrolysis are effective ways to permanently eliminate coarse, unwanted hair. Laser hair removal involves using concentrated light rays to damage your hair follicles. When the hair follicles are damaged, they can’t produce hair and the hair that is present will fall out. Electrolysis is the removal of hair using an electric current. Both types of hair removal are expensive requiring several sessions to achieve desired results.