Verified By Apollo Gynecologist August 26, 2020
22816Hirsutism is the development of dark or coarse hair on the body and face of women in a male-like pattern. It arises due to an excess of male hormones called androgens in a female’s body. Your doctor is most likely to refer you to an endocrinologist (hormonal disorders) and dermatologist (skin-related issues) for the treatment.
This is a common condition that affects 5-10% of women. While it can cause a lot of stress for the patient, this condition can be fully treated
It is essential to see a doctor if you have symptoms of hirsutism. They are:
When the patient suffers from excessive facial hair or notices an increase in facial hair over the short period of time, it’s highly recommended to seek medical attention as excessive facial hair can also indicate the presence of an underlying medical condition.
The following factors are known to increase the likelihood of developing hirsutism:
Hirsutism can cause emotional depression and make you feel self-conscious. It is not known to cause any physical complications. However, hormonal imbalance can lead to hormone-related disorders.
Your doctor is likely to diagnose PCOS if you are suffering from irregular periods along with Hirsutism. Some medications used to treat Hirsutism increases the risk of birth defects. The doctor will advise you to avoid pregnancy during the treatment process.
Hirsutism is diagnosed using blood tests that help detect hormones causing the condition. These tests help in assessing:
Your doctor will perform some diagnostic tests to confirm the cause.
Hirsutism is caused by additional androgen production in your body which estrogen and progestin containing medicines can treat. They are known as birth control pills. It is given to those women who do not want to become pregnant. Nausea and headaches are common side-effects.
The primary motive of anti-androgens is to prevent androgens from attaching to its receptors in your body. Your doctor will prescribe them after a six month course of OCs if needed. Generally, anti-androgen spironolactone used to treat hirsutism. Results are usually modest and may take at least six months to become noticeable. Menstrual irregularity is the possible side-effect. And, as these medications may cause birth defects, it is very important to use contraception while taking them.
A cream called Eflornithine (Vaniqa) works specifically for excess growth of facial hair on women. Your doctor will advise you to apply the cream on the affected area of your face twice a day. Many patients use this with laser therapy to increase the responsiveness of the treatment.
Procedures provide results that last longer than self-care methods.
This procedure uses a highly concentrated beam of light which is passed over your skin to damage the hair follicles to prevent any further growth of hair. You may need to have multiple treatments. This is known as photo epilation and is preferable for black, brown, and auburn-haired women.
Your doctor will insert a tiny needle into each hair follicle which emits an electric current. This electric current destroys the hair follicles. This process also requires multiple treatments. It is a preferable option for naturally blond or white-haired women.
It is a painful yet effective way of treatment. Your doctor will likely apply a numbing cream to reduce the discomfort.
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Hirsutism is not preventable, but some common precautionary measures you must be aware of are:
Your doctor and healthcare provider will ask you to follow a dietary regime.
Yes, Hirsutism can be treated successfully by following the treatment plan provided by your doctor. Oral medications combined with topical treatment and laser or electrolytic procedures are used to permanently reduce or remove the unwanted hair on the body of a woman.
Sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone eventually get better as a woman ages, which eases her PCOS. However, increased androgen levels in the body of a woman persist, and Hirsutism continues even after menopause. Symptoms like unwanted facial hair, body hair, and balding worsen with age.
The polycystic ovarian syndrome can very well change the facial features by causing increased growth of unwanted facial hair and acne. This is due to an imbalance in the sex hormones.
Not really. Some patients develop hirsutism without the presence of PCOS as well.
As of now, hirsutism can be managed through hair growth reduction techniques and permanent hair removal procedures.
It’s important to carefully use antiandrogens, as they are known to produce side-effects such as fatigue, low sex drive and increased proneness towards developing depression.
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