The Problem of Excessive Hair in Women

What is excessive hair in women?

Hirsutism is the condition in which women experience excessive or unwanted hair growth on the body. All men and women have body hair, but in women, the hair quality is very fine and it is also light in colour. In the condition called hirsutism, the major difference in the hair quality is in texture. The change can primarily be seen in the peach fuzz or the hair that is found on the woman’s face but even body hair can be coarser sometimes. This coarse hair is usually found on the back, chest, arm. The hair growth in woman which results as a condition of hirsutism can be considered equivalent to normal hair in men. This excessive growth is not at all dangerous, but yes it can be embarrassing for women. Hirsutism itself sometimes is caused by hormonal imbalance and this imbalance can be harmful to women and their health.

What causes this excessive hair growth in women?

Primarily, the raised or higher than normal male hormones levels are the cause of women developing excessive facial or coarser body hair. These male hormones called testosterone produce a substance called testosterone. Androgen hormone is produced by all women bodies, though in smaller amounts and low levels. But this can change due to a medical condition. Medical conditions like PCOS or polycystic ovarian is one such cause for Hirsutism leading to male pattern hair growth and deep voice among other male characteristics. In PCOS, ovaries develop benign cysts that affect the levels of hormone produced. This results in disturbed menstrual cycles and other symptoms. It also causes problems like embarrassing moderate to severe acne, excessive hair growth, overweightness and others.

Also, imbalances like adrenal cancer, adrenal tumors, and Cushing disease lead to hormonal imbalances in the woman’s body. This imbalance again leads to symptoms discussed earlier. We have adrenal glands which produce hormones, in individuals with congenital adrenal hyperplasia the body doesn’t produce an enzyme essential to hormone production. Also, in Cushing disease, cortisol is produced in higher amounts which affects the production of androgen hormone in the body.

Additionally, medications like minoxidil, anabolic steroids, testosterone, and cyclosporine can also lead to hormonal imbalance.

Moreover, the condition Hirsutismis a genetic or inherited disorder and tends to run in families. If a woman has close relative having it, there are increased chances of having unwanted hair growth.

Diagnosing the problem

The consulting doctor, will start with taking a detailed medical history to diagnose any hormonal imbalance condition and assess if it is an inherited disorder like hirsutism. Also they would want to know about your medication history to assess other causing agents. In addition, blood tests would be conducted to see the levels of your hormones.

Treatment of excessive hair Medical treatment would be required, in case the doctor’s findings reveal that excessive hair growth is being caused by PCOS or adrenal disorders. They can start you on drug therapy which would consist of anti-androgen medications and pills like birth control tablets in order to ensure achieving a balance in the hormone levels.

Also hair removal techniques are available, which is a non-medication way to get rid of permanent, unwanted, excessive hair. Laser hair removal specially can be beneficial for women with hormonal imbalance induced excessive hair condition.

My Clinic is a laser beauty therapies provider in Malaysia. If you are looking for safe and long lasting solutions for skin and hair care, check the details of services at http://www.myclinic.com.my