Hirsutism

Hirsutism: Presence of excessive hair on the body of women is known as Hirsutism. Female with hirsutism have hair on the chest, back, legs, face, stomach and abdomen. It may be caused by genetics and hormones. Sometimes it may be developed with irregular menstruation and infertility.

Causes of hirsutism:

Hirsutism is mainly caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome. There is no pain in hirsutism condition. Women with hirsutism may feel embarrassing. Sometimes it can be associated with other serious health problems.

Rare causes of hirsutism may include:

• Tumor of the ovary
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
• Medications such as anabolic steroids, cyclosporine, phenytoin
• Cancer or tumor of the adrenal gland
• Hyperthecosis
• Cushing’s disease

Signs and symptoms of hirsutism:

• Deepening voice
• Increase in lip hair
• Increase in facial hair
• Increase in thigh hair and chest hair
• Irregular menstruation periods
• Excess body weight

Diagnosis of hirsutism:

Health care provider may diagnose hirsutism by appearance of growth hair on face, neck, chest, back and legs. Blood tests may be performed by the doctor to detect hirsutism. In case of cancer or tumor, X-ray tests such as ultrasound and CT scan will be recommended by the doctor.

Treatment:

Shaving: Shaving is the easiest way to remove the excess hair. Apply hydrocortisone cream for shaving.

Bleaching: Bleaching cream is also effective to reduce the hair. Bleaching products are available in the market. You can use these products according to the directions. You can use it every two weeks. Don’t use it more because it can be irritated your skin.

Electrolysis: Electrolysis is an effective and expensive method. In this method, electrical current transmitted through a needle into the hair follicle. Home electronic tweezers and electrolysis products are not recommended by the health care provider.

Depilatories: These creams are effective to remove the hair. This method also may be irritated the skin. You can apply a small amount of cream to the affected area.

Waxing: Waxing is also an easy method to remove the excess hair. But this method is not applicable for women who have hirsutism.

Laser hair removal: It is very effective and expensive treatment to remove the excess hair. Only licensed practitioner can be done this treatment to remove the hair follicles.

In this method, laser light may be used to damage hair follicles. Sometimes multiple laser treatments will be prescribed by the health care providers. It has some side effects such as lightening of the skin, redness, scarring and darkening of the skin.

Medical treatment:

An anti-androgen will be recommended by the doctor to control the hormones. Patients with hirsutism can take anti-androgens for 3 to 6 months.

When to seek the doctor advice

In the following cases you should call your doctor immediately:-

• Growth of hair quickly
• Certain medication can be worst excessive hair.
• When hirsutism develop due to deepening voice, irregular menstruation periods, acne and decreased breast size.