Hair growth in women
(hirsutism)
and 
Treatment

Symptoms:

Hirsutism is hard or dark body hair that appears in women, especially on the face, chest, lower abdomen, inner thighs and back, where there is usually no hair. 

When high androgen levels cause hirsutism, it can develop over time in a process called virilization. Symptoms of virilization may include:

• Deepening Voice

• Baldness

• Acne

• Decreased Breast Size

• Increased Muscle Mass

• Enlargement of the Clitoris

When to See a Doctor?

If you think there is too much hard hair on the face or body reason and Treatment options should be discussed with your doctor.

Excessive facial or body hair is often a symptom of an underlying medical problem. Evaluation is warranted if severe or rapid facial or body hair growth or signs of virilization are experienced for more than a few months.

Reasons:

Excessive hair growth in women can be caused by:

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS):This condition, which usually begins during adolescence, causes the imbalance of female hormones. Over the years, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can gradually lead to excessive hair growth, irregular menstrual periods, obesity, infertility, and sometimes multiple cysts on the ovaries.

• Cushing Syndrome: Cushing syndrome occurs when the body is exposed to high levels of the cortisol hormone. It may be caused by your adrenal glands producing too much cortisol or by taking medications such as prednisone for a long time.

• Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: This inherited condition is characterized by abnormal production of steroid hormones, including cortisol and androgen, by the adrenal glands.

• Tumors: Rarely, an androgen-secreting tumor in the ovaries or adrenal glands can cause excessive hair growth (hirsutism).

• Medicines: Some medications can cause hirsutism. These include minoxidil; danazol, used to treat women with endometriosis; testosterone; and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). If the person's partner uses topical products containing androgens, they may be affected by skin contact.

Most often, hirsutism occurs without an identifiable cause.

Excessive Hair GrowthRisk factors:

Several factors pose a risk for excessive body hair growth, including:

• Family History: Many conditions that cause hirsutism, including congenital adrenal hyperplasia and polycystic ovary syndrome, run in families.

• Hereditary:Women of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian descent are more likely than other women to have excessive or thick body hair without an identifiable cause.

• Obesity: Being overweight  leads to increased androgen production, which can lead to hirsutism

Complications:

Hirsutism also affects the person emotionally. While some women feel comfortable having unwanted hair, others develop depression. Additionally, although hirsutism does not cause physical complications, the underlying hormonal imbalance can cause physical complications.

If you have hirsutism and irregular menstrual periods, this stops  fertility also  It may be due to polycystic ovary syndrome, which can prevent Women taking certain medications to treat hirsutism should avoid pregnancy due to the risk of abnormalities in the baby.

Excessive Hair Growth Prevention:

Hirsutism is generally not preventable. But losing weight if you're overweight may help reduce hirsutism, especially if you have polycystic ovary syndrome.

​

Diagnosis of Excessive Hair Growth

Tests that measure the amount of certain hormones in the blood, including testosterone or testosterone-like hormones, can help determine whether high androgen levels are causing hirsutism.

Additionally, the abdomen should be examined and a pelvic examination should be performed to look for masses that may indicate a tumor. For more detailed analysisCT scan and uIt may be necessary to resort to ultrasound.

Excessive Hair Growth Treatment

Drug treatment is not required for hirsutism that is not due to an endocrine disorder. For women who need hair growth treatment, it is necessary to identify any underlying disorder causing hirsutism and start treatment accordingly. Unwanted hair may require developing a personal care routine and treatment with laser epilation or medication.

Can Be Used for Excessive Hair Growth Medicines

If cosmetics or personal care methods are not effective, medications that treat hirsutism can be used. It usually takes up to six months, which is the average life cycle of the hair follicle, to see the difference in hair growth from these medications.

Medication Options for Excessive Hair Growth Include:

• Oral Contraceptives (Birth Control Pills): Birth control pills or other hormonal contraceptives containing estrogen and progestin treat hirsutism caused by androgen production. Oral contraceptives are a common treatment for hirsutism in women who do not want to become pregnant. Possible side effects may include nausea and headache.

• Anti-Androgens: These types of drugs block androgens from binding to their receptors in the body. If oral contraceptives are not effective enough, oral contraceptives are sometimes prescribed after six months.

  The most commonly used anti-androgen in the treatment of hirsutism is spironolactone (Aldactone). It takes at least six months for the effects of the use of these drugs to be noticeable. A possible side effect is menstrual irregularity. Because these medications can cause birth defects, pregnancy should not be attempted while using these medications.

• Topical Cream (Eflornithine):  It is a prescription cream used for excessive facial hair, especially in women. Apply directly to the affected area of the face twice a day. It helps slow down new hair growth, but it does not completely get rid of existing hair. It can be used together with laser treatment to increase the effect of the cream.

Procedures

Laser treatment is the most effective treatment used for hair growth today.

• 'Laser Treatment'It is a method of damaging hair follicles by sending a highly concentrated light (laser) onto the skin. In this way, hair growth is prevented (photoepilation).  For people with black, brown or brunette unwanted hair, photoepilation is often a better option than electrolysis.

   

• Electrolysis:  This treatment involves inserting a small needle into each hair  follicle. The needle emits an electric current to damage and eventually destroy the follicle. For individuals with naturally blonde or white hair, electrolysis is a better option than laser treatment.

  Electrolysis is effective but can be painful. A numbing cream applied to the skin before treatment may reduce discomfort.

​​

Self-care methods such as the following temporarily remove unwanted facial and body hair or reduce the visibility of hair. Your hairs   There is no evidence that removal causes more  hair growth.

​

• Snatch:Plucking is a good method for removing a few stray hairs, but it is not useful for removing a large area of hair. Plucked hairs usually grow back. This method of epilation can be done with tweezers, thin threads (thread) or other devices designed for this purpose.

• Do not shave: Shaving is quick and cheap, but needs to be repeated regularly.

• Wax: Waxing involves applying hot wax to the skin where unwanted hair grows. After the wax hardens, it is pulled away from the skin to remove the hair. Waxing quickly removes hair from a large area, but can be temporarily painful and sometimes cause skin irritation and redness.

• Chemical Hair Removal: Chemical depilatories are applied to the hair-dense skin and with this process, the hairs are shed. These products are available in various forms such as gel, cream, or lotion. They can irritate the skin and cause dermatitis. It will be necessary to repeat the process regularly to maintain its effect.

• Bleaching: Bleaching lightens the hair color and makes it less noticeable in people with fair skin. Hair bleaching products, which often contain hydrogen peroxide, can cause skin irritation. Any product to be used should be tested on a small area of skin first.​

​​

Important personal information, including other medical conditions and changes in menstrual cycle or sexual desire,

 The doctor should be informed about all medications, vitamins and other supplements taken.​ Questions such as the following will be asked and analyzed by the doctor:

• When did the signs of hair growth begin?

• Has the menstrual cycle changed or has the menstrual period stopped?

• Has an increase in weight been observed?

• Have new pimples developed?

• Have the size of your breasts changed?

• Have others reported a change in sound?

• Is there a desire to get pregnant soon?

​

​