What woman hasn’t been there? Standing in the mirror for hours trying to pluck any excess hair recently discovered on her face. Then there is the situation of standing in the shower for even greater lengths of time trying to shave every bit of excess hair on the body. Regardless of the scenario, every woman can agree that this nit-picky problem that happens to plague many women across the border actually has a name.
What is Hirsutism?
Hirsutism is the clinical name for this menacing problem. It is a condition where an excessive growth of hair occurs in places where it is usually minimal or absent. It normally grows excessively in areas on the face or somewhere on the body. The term hirsutism is restricted to the male type of hair growth in women because although this condition takes place in both men and women, it appears to draw the most concern from women.
Just about every woman may have experienced unwanted hair at one point or another. The characteristic of hirsutism is dark and thick hair that can be found on the face, chest, areola, lower abdomen, upper back, buttocks, inner thighs, external genitalia, and lower back. This kind of hair growth in men is actually quite normal. However, finding hair in these areas on women is considered abnormal and it can be very distressing. It can also cause psychological distress (low self-esteem) and cosmetic concerns in women. On the other hand, it can signify serious medical problems such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS or POS).
What causes Hirsutism?
The cause of hirsutism is broad. Any condition that increases the blood level of testosterone, male sex hormones or androgens results in hirsutism. The causes of hirsutism can fall into one of the following categories:
Endocrine system (or hormone) is managed through the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus of the brain. Any disturbances within this system can cause hirsutism resulting in obesity, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, or hypothyroidism to name a few.
Tumors can exist on the ovaries and the adrenal glands causing an excess amount of hormones to be secreted (including androgen) causing hirsutism. The effect of this condition can cause ovarian tumors, lipid cell tumors, or adrenal carcinoma to name a few.
Drugs can cause hirsutism such as oral contraceptives containing progesterone, Cyclosporine, Minoxidil, Phenytoin, Androgens, Penicillamine, heavy metals, or Acetazolamide.
Miscellaneous things can cause hirsutism such as the existence of both male and female internal sex organs (hermaphrodite), secretion of an androgen tumor during pregnancy (thecoma), an increase in androgen levels during pregnancy (hypereactio luteinalis of pregnancy), functional adrenal hyperandrogenism, and syndromes of excessive insulin resistance.
Treatment
Treatment for hirsutism depends on the cause. If the known cause is hypertrichosis, then hair removal is the proper form of treatment. However, if the patient is suffering from a full blown case of hirsutism, then the treatment will include either hair removal (laser or non laser, temporary or permanent epilation, or depilatories), an anti androgen therapy, a diet modification to treat obesity, or surgery if the underlying cause is a tumor. Also, treating the underlying cause (such as discontinuing medication) will alleviate hirsutism.
References
Familydoctor.org, Hirsutism (Excess Hair). Retrieved July 13, 2007. from Familydoctor.org Web site: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/hormone/210.html
The Hirsutism.info site, About Hirsutism. Retrieved July 15, 2007, from The Hirsutism.info Web site: http://www.hirsutism.info/index-2.html
