Hirsutism

Definition

Hirsutism is very common and can be hereditary. Most, if not all, adult males have visible hair growing on their faces and body. Women, on the other hand, have only very fine downy, inconspicuous hair on the face and body. If this hair becomes darker, thicker and visible, then the woman is suffering from hirsutism. Hirsutism problem may cause intense misery and make the woman feel less feminine. They might even feel a bit of a freak. But, it must be remembered that unwanted hair especially on the legs, is actually present in as many as 6 out of 10 women.

Most women with hirsutism, however, the androgen production is not increased. In them, because the normal downy hair are very sensitive to the low levels of androgens they get converted into thicker and longer hair. The basic problem in hirsutism is the excessive action of the male sex hormones - the androgens. Increased amounts of androgens may be produced; for instance, tumours of the ovaries may be responsible for this. The blood levels of the androgens are then raised above normal.

Causes of Hirsutism

Causes and risk factor's of Hirsutism include the following:

• Some medicines can cause hirsutism. These medicines include birth control pills, hormones and anabolic steroids.
• Idiopathic hirsutism.
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome.
• Tumor or cancer of the ovary.
• Hirsutism can be caused by abnormally high levels of male hormones (called androgens).
• Hair follicles that are overly sensitive to male hormones.

Symptoms of Hirsutism

Some Symptoms related to Hirsutism are as follows:

• Enlarged muscles.
• Loss of female contour-sign of defeminization.
• Irregular menstrual periods.
• Women who have hirsutism have dark, thick hair on their face, chest, abdomen and back.
• Acne.
• Malodorous perspiration.
• Obesity.
• Excess hair growth may be present.

Treatment of Hirsutism

The methods for treating Hirsutism such as includes:

• Electrolysis -- using electrical current to damage individual hair follicles so they do not grow back. This is expensive and requires multiple treatments.
• Chemical depilation may be suited best to treatment of large hairy areas in patients unable to afford more expensive treatments such as electrolysis and laser epilation.
• Bleaching makes the excessive hair less obvious.
• A medicine called an anti-androgen to help control the male hormones that cause hirsutism.
• Spironolactone 50-200 mg daily can slowly reduce excessive hair growth. It is sometimes combined with the oral contraceptive pill.
• Laser hair-removal techniques - This uses light to generate heat inside hair follicles, which destroys the ability of hair to grow from the follicle.