Hirsutism: What It Is, In Women, Causes, PCOS & Treatment (2024)

FAQs

Hirsutism: What It Is, In Women, Causes, PCOS & Treatment? ›

It mainly affects women and people assigned female at birth. Hirsutism doesn't have a known cause, but it's a symptom of other conditions, including polycystic ovary syndrome. Treatment options include weight loss, medications and other hair removal options.

Hirsutism in PCOS is associated with both ovarianderived androgen excess and individual sensitivity of the pilosebaceous unit to androgens. Interventions to decrease hirsutism in PCOS include the suppression of androgen excess by combined oral contraceptives (OCPs).

Hirsutism is linked to hormones called androgens. It can happen if the level of these hormones increases or if your body becomes more sensitive to them. The most common cause is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is a condition affecting the ovaries that can also cause symptoms such as acne and irregular periods.

Ancestry. Women of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and South Asian ancestry are more likely to have more body hair with no identifiable cause than are other women. Obesity. Being obese causes increased androgen production, which can worsen hirsutism.

Hirsutism is defined as the presence of terminal hair with male pattern distribution in women. While in the general population, hirsutism affects around 4–11% of women, it is the main manifestation of hyperandrogenism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), with a prevalence estimated at 65–75%.

'A PCOS belly can result in a protruding or "apple-shaped" appearance. It often feels firm and solid to the touch due to increased visceral fat surrounding the internal organs,' explains Milanova.

Dietary supplementation with magnesium and zinc are also thought to help prevent growth of excess facial hair. In one of the clinical studies for patients with hirsutism, participants were given a combination of magnesium, zinc, calcium, and vitamin D supplements over the course of 12 weeks.

Prognosis and Complications. Treating the underlying cause of hirsutism can improve your symptoms. Long-term medication may slow hair growth, but it usually will not get rid of existing hair on the face and body. Some cosmetic techniques, laser hair removal and waxing, can reduce unwanted hair.

A diet with increased refined carbohydrates content leads to an excessive insulin response, which in turn can stimulate the androgen production that contributes to hirsutism and other PCOS symptoms however, increased consumption of omega 3 fats, plant based proteins helps in preventing against hirsutism in many cases7.

What foods reduce facial hair? ›

Few foods might help you to get rid of facial hair: Sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds, garlic, peaches, oats, dried fruits, barley, mung beans, lentils, and rice bran may help increase the estrogen (hormone) levels in the body and reduce unwanted facial hair naturally.

Medicines -- Drugs such as birth control pills, anti-androgen medicines, and spironolactone are a few options for some women. Electrolysis -- Electrical current is used to permanently damage individual hair follicles so they do not grow back. This method is expensive, and multiple treatments are needed.

Hirsutism and unwanted PCOS facial hair are very common with polycystic ovary syndrome. Hirsutism can be seen as coarse, dark hair that may appear on the face, chest, abdomen, back, upper arms, or upper legs. Hirsutism is a symptom of medical disorders associated with the hormones called androgens.

Women with PCOS differ in reproductive hormones past menopause. Hirsutism symptoms such as unwanted hair growth and balding worsen with age. The most important findings are that metabolic parameters worsen in overweight women with PCOS, increasing their risk for life-long health issues beyond menopause.

And every time you look in the mirror you're checking whether it's visible again. While there is no cure for PCOS, there are several treatments available that can help manage the symptoms, including the growth of facial hair. One of them being laser hair removal.

Hirsutism is often treated with a combination of approaches, including oral contraceptives with or without an antiandrogen, such as spironolactone, to lower levels or block actions of androgen on hair follicles.

It is well known that metformin reduces circulating androgens, which can decrease the occurrence of excess hair in women.