Hirsutism is a condition that results in excessive growth of dark or coarse hair in women with a male pattern.
With hirsutism, additional hair growth often occurs due to an excess of male hormones (androgens), primarily testosterone.
Hirsutism is coarse or dark body hair that appears in areas where women normally do not have hair - mainly the face, chest, lower abdomen, inner thighs and back. There are different opinions about what is considered excessive.
When high androgen levels cause hirsutism, other signs may develop over time - a process called virilization. Signs of virilization may include:
If you think you have too much coarse facial or body hair, talk to your doctor about treatment options.
Excess facial or body hair is often a symptom of an underlying medical problem. See your doctor if you experience severe or rapid growth of facial or body hair or signs of virilization within a few months. You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in hormonal disorders (endocrinologist) or skin problems (< a href=""/ua/doctors"" rel="nofollow">dermatologist).
Hirsutism often occurs without a specific reason. In some women, the skin has increased sensitivity to normal levels of male sex hormones, reacting with the appearance of hirsutism and other manifestations (acne, excessive sebum production) with normal hormone tests.
Obesity also causes an increase in androgen production, which can worsen hirsutism.
Women are usually embarrassed to have unwanted hair and some may develop depression about it. In addition, although hirsutism itself does not cause physical complications, if the main reason is hormonal imbalance, then a violation of the ratio of hormones can cause complications.
If you have hirsutism and irregular periods, you may have polycystic ovary syndrome, which can suppress fertility. Women taking certain medications to treat hirsutism should avoid becoming pregnant because of the risk of birth defects.
Losing weight if you are overweight can help reduce hirsutism, especially if you have polycystic ovary syndrome.
Tests that measure the amount of certain hormones in the blood, including testosterone or testosterone-like hormones, can help determine whether androgen levels are elevated.
The doctor can also prescribe ultrasound or CT / MRT examination of the abdomen and pelvic organs to study structure of adrenal glands and internal female genital organs.
Treatment of hirsutism without signs of endocrine disorders is not mandatory.
Medicines. If standard cosmetic methods don't work, talk to your doctor about medications that treat hirsutism. Taking the drugs usually takes up to 6 months (the average life cycle of a hair follicle) before you see a significant difference in hair growth. It is important to remember that all the indicated means have contraindications and side effects, therefore they are prescribed only by a doctor after careful analysis of each case individually.
Birth control pills or other hormonal contraceptives that contain estrogen and progesterone affect hirsutism caused by androgen production. Oral contraceptives are a common method for controlling hirsutism in women who do not want to become pregnant. Possible side effects include nausea and headache;These types of drugs block the attachment of androgens to their receptors in the body. Sometimes they are prescribed after 6 months of taking oral contraceptives, if oral contraceptives are not effective enough.
The most commonly used antiandrogen for the treatment of hirsutism is spironolactone in a special dosage. A minimum of six months is required to see results from treatment. Possible side effects include menstrual irregularities. Since these drugs can cause birth defects of the fetus, it is important to use contraception when taking them.
Eflornithine is a prescription cream specifically designed for excessive facial hair in women. The active substance blocks the action of an enzyme in hair follicles, which is necessary for hair growth. It is applied directly to the affected area of the face twice a day. This helps to slow down the growth of new hair, but does not get rid of existing hair. Can be used with laser therapy to increase the effect.
Hair removal methods that may last longer than cosmetic treatments and may be combined with drug therapy include:
A beam of high-concentration light (laser) passes through the skin to damage hair follicles and prevent hair growth (photoepilation). Several procedures may be required to achieve the desired result. For people whose unwanted hair is black, brown or red, photoepilation is usually a better option than electrolysis.
Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of the different lasers used for this hair removal method. People with tanned or darkly pigmented skin are at increased risk for side effects from certain lasers, including skin darkening or lightening, blistering, and inflammation. Also, the procedure has contraindications, which you should ask your doctor about.
This procedure involves inserting a tiny needle into each hair follicle. The needle emits a pulse of electrical current to damage and eventually destroy the follicle. Several procedures may be required to achieve results. For people with naturally blonde or white hair, electrolysis is a better option than laser therapy.
Electrolysis is effective, but can be painful. An anesthetic cream applied to the skin before the procedure can reduce discomfort.
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