| |
Hirsutism: Its Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
|
What is Hirsutism?
Hirsutism is a condition, suffered by women, which causes excessive hair growth in areas such as the chin, upper lip line and even the chest and breasts which are more usually associated with hair growth in men. |
 |
|
| |
This problem affects approximately ten per cent of women. It can be a distressing and socially isolating problem, perhaps due particularly to the association of facial hair growth with the opposite sex. Hirsutism can be really psychologically damaging for women.
(A more detailed explanation of Hirsutism can be found in Wikipedia opens new window) |
| |
|
|
| |
Signs and Symptoms
You will know when you have Hirsutism because you will have excess hair growth on your face, chest and other areas of your body which is usually thicker and coarser than other women. Some women even have excess hair growth on their stomach, bum, back or even their legs.
The hair which grows on those bodies of those women with hirsutism is terminal hair, rather than vellous hair, which is the fine, downy hair which covers the whole bodies but which is barely visible.
Sufferers of hirsutism are also more likely to suffer from acne and seborrhoea as a result of the skin producing too much sebum, its natural oil.
You will usually experience the symptoms of hirsutism at puberty and will usually become more severe as you mature and age. Hirsutism is an actual medical condition, and is not to be confused with the fact that all women have increased facial and bodily hair growth after the menopause, or that women of Indian or Mediterranean are also likely to have more of this hair growth than other women.
|
|
| |
|
| |
Causes of Hirsutism
The condition is linked to male hormones, otherwise known as androgens. Every woman has some male hormones, but if you have hirsutism it is either because you have an excess of these androgens or that your hair follicles are particularly sensitive to their effect. |
|
| |
It can also be hereditary, running in families.
Hirsutism can also be caused by acromegaly, where a person has an excess of growth hormone in their body. It can also be a side-effect of taking steroids and certain treatments for endometriosis or epilepsy.
Diagnosis of Hirsutism
Of course its without saying you should discuss your concerns with a doctor, especially if the hair growth is rapid or begins before puberty or if it suddenly worsens, because it can be confused with other conditions and mask other underlying health issues. |
|
| |
| It is important to get yourself checked out for polycystic ovary syndrome, the condition most commonly associated with increased androgen levels in women. This may also be the cause of acne, menstrual problems, weight gain and thinning hair on the head so those are symptoms to look out for. |
|
| |
|
| |
Treatment
Your GP, having diagnosed hirsutism, may refer you to an endocrinologist, who specialises in hormonal problems, a dermatologist, who specialises in skin conditions, or a gynaecologist, who specialises in the reproductive systems of women. |
|
| |
|
| |
Treatment of Hirsutism
Hirsutism can be difficult to treat and cure permanently, because it can be difficult to identify the underlying cause, although a specialist may advise surgery for polystic ovaries or prescribe you medication for underlying causes.
For most women, dealing with idiopathic hirsutism is a matter of dealing with the symptoms: the excess of hair growing where you don’t want it to.
You can help yourself by losing weight, believe it or not, if you are obese, as larger woman may have increased androgen levels. So make sure you eat healthily and exercise regularly. That is good for all of us, anyway.
The remaining treatments of hirsutism are those that deal with hair removal. Shaving may not be the best idea. It may be easy but with hirsutism you may have to shave so often that you irritate your skin.
You also run the risk of having the unwanted hair looking thicker and darker as it grows back as the ends will be blunt. Stubble re-growth can also be really uncomfortable.
Plucking, waxing and threading all have a longer term effect, as the whole hair is taken out of the follicle, but that can be really painful. It can also, on rare occasions, cause scarring and the hair follicle can become infected.
Electrolysis may be permanent in some cases, although this is not guaranteed, and it is rather painful. You will also have to undergo several sessions of this treatment. You need to make sure you only ever used a qualified electrolysis therapist.
Laser hair removal is the most effective treatment, with long-lasting results. Although laser is not 100% permanent, you will however, notice your hair becomes a lot thinner and finer after 12 sessions 4 to 6 weeks apart.
Look for a laser technician that uses laser rather than IPL as lasers are much stronger and so results last longer. |
|
| |
|
|
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.