Hirsutism - Information on Hirsutism

Hirsutism is a condition in which too much hair grows on the face or body. In most cases, hirsutism is a benign condition and primarily is of cosmetic concern. In more severe cases, hirsutism can be a cosmetic catastrophe. The cause of hirsutism can be either an increased level of androgens (male hormones ) or an oversensitivity of hair follicles to androgens. Rarer, and more serious, endocrine causes of hirsutism and virilization include congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing's syndrome and virilization tumours of the ovary and adrenal. Although hirsutism can occur in both men and women, usually only women consider it a problem. Hirsutism is very common and can be hereditary. Hirsutism can be caused by any condition that increases the normally low levels of male hormones in a woman.

Most patients with hirsutism will have some disturbance of menstruation. Hirsutism is a symptom rather than a disease and may be a sign of a more serious medical indication, especially if it develops well after puberty. Many patients with hirsutism are also overwieght or obese. A tendency to hirsutism does run in some families and is not associated with an excess of androgens. Hirsutism only affects women since the rising of androgens causes a male pattern of body hair, particularly in locations where women normally do not develop terminal hair within their puberty. Many women with unwanted hair seek methods of hair removal to control the appearance of hirsutism.

Hirsutism and its causes

Most, if not all, adult males have visible hair growing on their faces and body. Women, on the other hand, have only very fined owny, inconspicuous hair on the face and body. If this hair becomes darker, thicker and visible, then the woman is suffering from hirsutism. This problem may cause intense misery and make the woman feelless Jeminine. They might even feel a bit of a freak. But, it must be remembered that unwanted hair especially on the legs, is actually present in as many as 6 out of 10 women.

In most women with hirsutism, however, the androgen production is not increased. In them, because the nonnal downy hair are very sensitive to the low levels of androgens they get converted into thicker and longer hair. Heredity and ethnic origin have a lot to do with the amount of hairiness of the skin. Mental tension and some medicines can also cause hairy problems.

Women with hirsutism are often over-weight and infertile. They often develop severe acne on the face and frequently have sparse scalp hair. Rarely frank baldness, quite like that seen in men, develops. Infrequently, they develop frank masculinisation. So
hirsutism may well be more than a cosmetic problem. So, if you arehaving hair problems, do consult your doctor.

Mild hirsutism may be a nonnal growing up process: a few abnormal hair may appear at puberty or at menopause. However, a rapidly progressive problem or an association with infertility, definitely requires specialised types of investigations and treatment: in these patients just removal of the hair would be a totally inadequate solution, because the hair would rapidly grow back.

Treatment of hirsutism

Can medicines help reduce hairiness? Treatment of hirsutism depends on the cause as well as on its severity. The cause needs to be determined by examination and investigations. The basic problem in hirsutism is the excessive action of the male sex honnones - the androgens. Increased amoun of androgens may be produced; for instance, tumours of the ovaries may be responsible for this. The blood levels of the androgens are then raised above nonnal.

Here is list of the methods for treating Hirsutism:

• A medicine called an anti-androgen to help control the male hormones that cause hirsutism.
• Chemical depilation may be suited best to treatment of large hairy areas in patients unable to afford more expensive treatments such as electrolysis and laser epilation.
• Using electrical current to damage individual hair follicles so they do not grow back. This is expensive and requires multiple treatments.
• The most commonly used anti-androgen for treating hirsutism is spironolactone (Aldactone).
• Vaniqa is a prescription cream specifically for excessive facial hair in women. It's applied directly to the affected area of your face and helps slow new hair growth but doesn't get rid of existing hair.

Causes of Hirsutism

The common causes and risk factor's of Hirsutism include the following:

• Abnormally high levels of male hormones.
• Certain drugs such as anabolic steroids may increase hirsutism.
• Tumor or cancer of the ovary.
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome.
• Abnormalities in the adrenal gland will produce increased DHEAS.
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Symptoms of Hirsutism

Some sign and symptoms related to Hirsutism are as follows:

• Obesity.
• Irregular menstrual periods.
• Enlarged muscles.
• Excess hair growth may be present.
• Increased muscle mass.
• A deepening voice.

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