Hirsutism: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, And More

by Paul M. Tyson [MD]
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A disorder known as Hirsutism causes women to grow their hair abnormally. It may refer to a male-patterned growth of hair on the face, chest, and back.

It is usually the result of an excess of androgens, the male hormones. Androgens stimulate the growth of hair follicles on the face, chest, and back. 

The condition is most commonly seen in women of childbearing age, but it may occur in any age group.

Hirsutism could be a cause of great distress and may have a significant impact on a woman’s quality of life.

It is important to seek medical help if you are concerned about hirsutism. Early diagnosis and treatment could often help to improve the condition.

In this article, we will look into its symptoms, causes, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatments.

Contents

Symptoms Of Hirsutism

The most common symptoms of hirsutism include:

  • The development of too much hair on the face, chest, back, or stomach
  • Dark, coarse hair
  • Hair growth in areas where men typically grow hair (e.g., on the chin or neck)
  • Receding hairline
  • Thinning hair on the scalp

Causes Of Hirsutism

Common causes of Hirsutism are as follows:

  1. Hormones

    Hormones are just one of the many reasons that might lead to hirsutism.

    Androgen, the male sex hormone, is responsible for the growth of facial and body hair. When a woman has too much androgen in her body, it may lead to hirsutism.

  1. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

    Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that could cause a variety of symptoms, including hirsutism.

    Women with PCOS may have thick, dark hair on their faces, chest, and back. In some cases, hirsutism may also cause baldness.

    PCOS is brought on by a mix of hereditary and environmental causes. It is thought to be more common in women who have a family history of the condition.

    PCOS is also more common in obese women and women who have insulin resistance.

  1. Cushing’s Syndrome

    When the body creates too much cortisol, a hormonal disease known as Cushing’s syndrome develops.

    This excess cortisol could cause several different symptoms, one of which is hirsutism. Women with Cushing’s syndrome often notice an increase in facial hair growth.

    The hair may be thick and dark and may grow in areas where women typically don’t have hair, such as the chin and upper lip.

    In some cases, the excess hair growth may be accompanied by acne.

  1. Tumors

    Tumors may cause hirsutism by secreting excess hormones, such as testosterone.

    When these hormones are released into the body, they could cause the body to produce more hair than normal.

    In some cases, the hair may even be darker and thicker than usual. If a tumor is causing your hirsutism, doctors will likely recommend surgery to remove the tumor.

  1. Medication

    Many different drugs may cause hirsutism as a side effect. Some of these drugs include:

    • Spironolactone
    • Cimetidine
    • Minoxidil
    • Androgenic steroids
    • Cyclosporine
    • Glucocorticoids

Risk Factors For Hirsutism

Hirsutism could occur as a result of several factors, including:

  • Family History

    Family history is one of the risk factors for hirsutism. This means that if you have a family member who has hirsutism, you are more likely to develop the condition yourself.

  • Ancestry

    Ancestry is a risk factor for hirsutism because certain ethnic groups are more likely to have the condition.

    For example, hirsutism is more common in women of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, or South Asian descent.

  • Obesity

    Obesity is a risk factor for hirsutism because it may lead to an imbalance of hormones in the body. This hormone imbalance could then trigger excess hair growth.

Diagnosing Hirsutism

If you are experiencing excess hair growth, it is important to consult with a medical professional to determine the cause.

They will likely perform a physical exam and order laboratory tests to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Once a diagnosis of hirsutism is made, treatment may begin.

Treatment may involve lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, or medical therapies, such as medications or hormonal injections.

Treatments For Hirsutism

The following are the treatment of Hirsutism:

  1. Weight Loss

    Weight loss could be an effective treatment for hirsutism, a condition characterized by excessive hair growth.

    Losing weight may help to regulate hormone levels, which can in turn reduce hair growth.

    In addition, weight loss could help to reduce the size of the ovaries, which may also help to reduce hirsutism.

  1. Shaving

    Shaving is an effective way to remove hair and can be used to treat hirsutism.

    Shaving can help to remove unwanted hair and can be used as a temporary or permanent solution.

    There are a few things to keep in mind when shaving, such as using a clean razor and shaving in the direction of hair growth.

  1. Tweezing And Threading

    Tweezing and threading are two popular hair removal methods that can be used to treat hirsutism. Both methods are relatively affordable and can be done at home.

    Tweezing involves using a pair of tweezers to pull the hair out at the root, while threading involves using a thin thread to trap and remove the hair.

  1. Waxing

    Waxing can be an effective way to remove unwanted hair from the face, arms, legs, and other areas of the body.

    Waxing can also help to slow down hair growth, making it an ideal treatment for those who are looking to manage the condition.

  1. Creams

    Topical creams are one of these treatments. Topical creams can be effective in reducing hair growth and help to improve the appearance of the skin.

    Several different creams can be used to treat hirsutism, including those containing eflornithine, an anti-androgen medication.

  1. Electrolysis

    Electrolysis is a treatment that can help to remove unwanted hair. Electrolysis works by passing an electric current through the hair follicle.

    As a result, the hair follicle is destroyed, preventing further hair growth. It is a very effective treatment, but it can be costly and time-consuming.

  1. Hair Removal

    Unwanted hair is targeted and removed with a laser during the medical treatment known as laser hair removal. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including hirsutism.

    Laser hair removal can be an effective treatment for hirsutism. It works by targeting the hair follicles with pulses of laser energy.

    This destroys the follicle, causing the hair to fall out. Laser hair removal is usually performed as a series of treatments, spaced 4-6 weeks apart.

  1. Medication

    Several different medications can be used to treat hirsutism. The most common medications are birth control pills, anti-androgens, and glucocorticoids.


    Birth control pills can help to regulate hormone levels, which can reduce excessive hair.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hirsutism is a condition that affects many women and can be caused by a variety of factors.

If you are concerned that you may have hirsutism, it is important to speak to your doctor.

Numerous therapies are available that can aid with symptom reduction and quality-of-life enhancement.