Learning About Hirsutism (2024)

FAQs

What is an important fact about hirsutism? ›

Hirsutism is excess hair most often noticeable around the mouth and chin. With hirsutism, extra hair growth often arises from excess male hormones (androgens), primarily testosterone.

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.

Conclusions: Hirsutism clinically presents in women as excessive hair growth in androgen-dependent areas.

Hirsutism in women is the excess growth of dark and coarse hair over areas of the body where it ordinarily wouldn't grow, such as the face and back. About one woman in 10 is affected. Hirsutism is usually a symptom of an underlying problem rather than a medical condition in its own right.

Ancestry. People of Mediterranean, Hispanic, South Asian, or Middle Eastern descent are more likely to have extra body hair. Obesity. Being overweight causes your body to make more male hormones, which can make hirsutism worse.

Untreated hirsutism can be associated with considerable loss of self-esteem and psychological morbidity. Hyperandrogenemia is the key trigger for excess hair growth. Polycystic ovary syndrome and idiopathic hirsutism are the most common cause of hirsutism.

Lavender and tea tree oils may reduce mild hirsuitism without a known cause. One preliminary study found that applying lavender and tea tree oils locally on the skin could improve the condition. These oils are for topical use only.

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.

Hirsutism requires ongoing treatment. None of the treatments make the hair go away completely, but they help make your hair grow more slowly and decrease the amount of unwanted hair. Most people are happy with their results once they find an effective treatment regimen that works for them.

Cortisol is a stress hormone that has many effects on the body. Persistently high levels of cortisol can cause excess hair growth in women.

Does hirsutism go away with weight loss? ›

Weight loss — Weight loss in overweight females can decrease levels of androgens and lessen hirsutism. Females with menstrual irregularities may also notice that their cycles become more regular after losing weight.

Strength Training. Strength training significantly changes body composition, which lowers high levels of androgens in females [3]. For a general prescription, strength train 2 to 3 times a week with a rest day or two in between sessions to allow for all the beneficial adaptations to take place.

Hirsutism appears to be most common in dark-skinned individuals. Hirsutism can occur in men but is difficult to recognize. In children, hirsutism is a sign of precocious puberty. Hirsutism is also known to occur in women who discontinue the oral contraceptive pill and gain weight.

The main difference between more typical hair on a woman's body and face (often referred to as “peach fuzz”) and hair caused by hirsutism is the texture. When caused by hirsutism, the hair on a woman's face, arms, chest, stomach, back, or chest is usually coarse and dark.

Eflornithine is used to slow the growth of unwanted hair on the face in women, usually around the lips or under the chin. Eflornithine works by blocking a natural substance that is needed for hair to grow and is located in your hair follicle (the sac where each hair grows).

Hirsutism is the growth of excessive male-pattern hair in women after puberty. It affects facial and body areas dependent on androgens, namely mustache and beard, pubic hair, buttocks, and thighs. It is a frequent reason for dermatological consultation.

Hirsutism is excess hair growth on the body or face. It's caused by excess hormones called androgens. For women, the hair may grow in places where men often have a lot of hair, but women often don't. This includes the upper lip, chin, chest, and back.

How is Hirsutism Treated? 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.

Hirsutism is very common, affecting 5% - 10% of all women. It refers to excess dark, thick hair in areas where women usually don't have much hair. Light hair (blonde or white) is not considered to be hirsutism.