Living With Hirsutism
August 18, 2009
We all have hair on our body. Compared to men, women have less facial and body hair. However, excess hair growths sometimes occur in women. This condition is known as hirsutism.
Hirsutism is characterized by unwanted hair growth on face, chest and back. Presence of excess male hormones is responsible for this condition in women.
Hirsutism symptoms
Growth of course and pigmented hair on the face, back and chest is the symptom of hirsutism. Sometimes, excess hair growth is also accompanied by deepening of the voice. Abnormality in hormonal function could also cause increase in muscle mass, the clitoris becomes larger and the breast might shrink. Menstruation might become irregular and male features might become prominent.
Hirsutism causes
Increase in the level of male hormone or androgen in the body results in hirsutism. Rise in androgen level may be a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome. Sex hormone imbalance is responsible for polycystic ovary syndrome. This condition is characterized by multiple ovarian cyst, irregular periods, obesity and infertility.
Sometimes tumors in the adrenal glands or ovaries might increase secretion of male hormones in women. Excess hair growth may occur from prolonged consumption of cortisol-like steroid medicines. A condition known as Cushing’s syndrome can also raise the cortisol secretion.
Excess cortisol can cause imbalance in the sex hormones in the body, causing hirsutism. Sometimes hirsutism can be a genetic condition, which causes the adrenal glands to produce excess androgen as well as cortisol. Women of South Asian, West Asian and Mediterranean origin have a greater risk of hirsutism.
Hirsutism home remedies
Since, excess hair growth results from hormonal imbalance, no precaution can be taken to prevent this condition. Often oral contraceptives are recommended for treating this condition. These pills help to inhibit secretion of androgen. Anti-androgen drugs can also help to arrest unwanted androgen production in the body.
The excess hair from the body could be permanently removed with electrolysis and laser therapy treatments. These treatments permanently destroy the hair follicles, preventing development of hairs in the future. Waxing and hair removal creams or chemical depilatories are the cheaper options for removing excess body hair.
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