Hirsuitism (Excessive Hair Growth)

Hirsuitism is simply a medical term for excess body or facial hair in women. It can be described as a male hair growth pattern or distribution on a female body. It usually begins around puberty, but mild hirsuitism can start at any age. Most women do not realize how common their problem is.

What causes Hirsuitism?

Hirsuitism is almost always the result of the excessive effect of androgens on the hair follicles. This could be caused by:

• The use of male hormones and medications with androgen effects. (E.g. steroids)
• Androgen producing ovarian tumors. Hirsuitism progresses rapidly and if left untreated, it leads to masculinization (loss of scalp hair, voice changes, and male body habits).
• Polycystic ovarian disease – women suffering from this are obese, hirsute and has irregular and irregular menstrual cycles. This is because women in this condition stop ovulating it is often referred to as Anovulation Syndrome.
• Cushings Syndrome – This condition is the consequence of an excess production of corticisteroids in the adrenal gland. Some of these corticosteroids are androgens and therefore stimulate hair growth.

Symptoms of Hirsuitism

• Growth of excess hair on the face area, especially on the upper lip and chin.
• Loss of hair on the scalp and the fronto-vertex region in women.

What Are The Available Remedies?

• Bleaching
• Shaving
• Plucking
• Threading
• Waxing
• Depilatory creams
• Electrolysis.

Latest Treatment

An herb called Oleum Jacoris has shown great results in treating the problem. Also laser therapy is proving to have promising results, though long-term testing is needed to confirm this.