Hirsutism in women is the excessive growth of coarse, black hair in parts of the body it shouldn’t, such as the face and back. It is typically a sign of a medical issue rather than a disease in and of itself.
To know about what it is, its causes, and hirsutism treatment options, keep reading!
Table of Contents
Hirsutism Meaning – A Brief Overview
Hirsutism meaning, pronounced as ‘HUR-soot-iz-um’, is a condition in which the face, chest, and back develop excessive amounts of coarse or dark hair in a pattern resembling that of males. A rise in hormones androgens levels is often the cause of hirsutism.
What is the key distinction between hirsutism related hair and more usual hair on a woman’s face (peach fuzz)? Well the difference lies in texture. As mentioned before, hirsutism causes thick and dark body hair.
It is a prevalent condition nearly affecting between 5 and 10 percent of women. In addition, if your mother, sister, or another female relative also has it, you may be more prone to have this hair growth as it tends to run in families.
Although having excessive body hair can cause self-consciousness, the issue isn’t usually harmful. However, the hormonal imbalance that might cause it may make someone’s health more difficult.
Signs and Symptoms of Hirsutism
According to the top reviewed dermatologist in Lahore, Dr. Shaiqa Ali “Hair development on the upper lip, breasts, and abdomen is the primary sign of hirsutism (male-pattern hair growth in women).” Other symptoms, known as virilization, may appear after hirsutism, which is a condition brought on by elevated testosterone levels.
Possible symptoms of virilization include:
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Acne
- Signs of masculinity such as voice deepening, enlargement of clitoris, decrease breasts size, and balding
What Causes Hirsutism?
High levels of androgen hormones (testosterone and androstenedione) is the main cause of hirsutism.
All people create androgens, however those who are born with the gender assigned to them i.e. women usually have low levels of them. But a woman can get hirsutism if her body starts producing too many androgens or if her skin suddenly becomes sensitive to them.
This hormonal imbalance can be brought on by a few different causes. These are:
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) – It causes formation of small cysts, or fluid filled vesicles on your ovaries.
- Adrenal gland disorders such as cushing’s diseases, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, adrenal cancer
- Androgen secreting tumours in the adrenal gland or ovaries
- Medications such as minoxidil (used to stimulate hair growth), steroids, and cyclosporine (used before organ transplants)
- Hyperinsulinemia (insulin overproduction usually linked with diabetes)
When to See A Doctor? Diagnosis of Hirsutism
Consult your doctor for an evaluation if you believe you have an excessive amount of coarse hair on your face or body.
Your physician will check you out and record your medical history. He may question you about your family history, current medications, and menstrual cycle.
Your doctor will also examine your hair growth and examine your pelvis to look for malignancies or ovarian cysts.
After performing the physical examination, he may recommend one of the following tests to reach the root cause of hirsutism:
- Blood tests to check your hormone levels such as testosterone test, prolactin hormone test
- Imaging tests, including pelvic ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan to look for any tumours or cysts on adrenal glands or ovaries
- X-ray to examine your adrenal glands
Hirsutism Treatment
The underlying reason will determine the course of treatment and care.
In addition to your primary care physician, you could also require the services of a specialist, such as a gynaecologist or endocrinologist. You may consult with the best endocrinologists near you by making an appointment via Healthwire.
Hirsutism treatment options include:
Hormone Management
If the cause of your hirsutism is hormonal imbalances such as PCOS, you will be required to look for options involving hormone management. These include:
Weight Control
If you have obesity, your doctor will advise you to lose weight in order to lessen the signs and symptoms of hirsutism. Maintaining a moderate weight may help you balance your androgens naturally because obesity can alter how your body makes and uses hormones.
Dietary Modifications
These PCOS diet tips may also help women stay at a good weight, which may help lower androgens in the body:
- Consume antioxidants rich foods, such as tomatoes, blueberries, bell peppers, squash, etc.
- Use healthy cooking oils, such as vegetable oil or olive oil.
- Drink around 2 litres of water per day.
- Don’t eat refined foods, for example, pastas, breads, sugary meals, etc.
- Prefer lean meats over red meats
- Reduce trans fats consumption. Don’t eat french fries, cakes, cookies, donuts, onion rings, etc.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol drinking.
Medications
You might require extra medications if excessive hair growth is a sign of PCOS or an adrenal condition. The following drug therapies may help balance your hormonal levels:
Anti-androgen drugs: Steroidal androgens and nonsteroidal (or pure) anti-androgens can block androgen receptors and reduce the production of androgen from the pituitary, ovaries, and adrenal glands.
Birth control pills: These pills, which include both oestrogen and progesterone, might aid in reducing PCOS cyst size. Additionally, oestrogen may aid in hair growth reduction. Typically, these medications provide long-term relief from hirsutism in women. After 3 to 6 months of medication therapy, you’ll probably start to feel better.
Eflornithine Cream
Moving next to hirsutism treatment is the use of eflornithine cream. To stop the growth of facial hair, your doctor might recommend it. This lotion slows hair growth by interfering with a chemical in hair follicles beneath the skin.
NOTE: It does not remove existing hair, but it does slow down new hair growth. If you stop using the cream, your hair grows back.
Hair Removal Methods to Remove Excessive Hirsutism Hair
The treatment options mentioned above only control your hormonal imbalances or slow hair growth. However, the already existing body hair needs to be removed with hair removal methods which are a non-medical option.
Hair removal methods are the ones that you must be familiar with such as:
Depilatories, waxing, and shaving: You have to be proactive about these methods to get the desired effects and keep unwanted hair from growing back. All of these are fairly inexpensive and start working right away, but they all need ongoing use.
Laser hair removal: Laser hair removal involves damaging your hair follicles with focused light rays. Damaged follicles are unable to create hair, and the existing hair falls out as a result. Laser hair removal can produce permanent or nearly permanent effects with enough sessions. However, if not done right laser hair removal can result in strawberry legs.
Suggested Read: How to Get Rid of Strawberry Legs – 6 Workable Solutions for You
Electrolysis: Using an electric current, electrolysis removes hair. Sessions may last longer because each hair follicle is treated separately.
Both electrolysis and laser hair removal can be pricey and require several sessions to produce the desired results.
KEEP IN MIND!! Patience is crucial during the healing process. Results may not become apparent for up to a year, and they may even take up to four years to fully manifest.
Wrapping Up!
Hirsutism in women is quite an embarrassing and frustrating condition causing excessive body and facial hair. Treating hirsutism may or may not require a lifetime commitment, depending on the underlying reason and your treatment preference.
Living with hirsutism can be made simpler by controlling your hormone levels, controlling your weight, concentrating on a nutrient-rich diet, and seeking support if the condition’s symptoms make you feel uncomfortable.
