What are Hirsutism and its Causes?
Hirsutism is the excessive hairiness on the face, chest, and arms and on other body parts of a woman. It is an embarrassment that can lead a woman to depression. In certain women it may be due to the disorders of the endocrine gland which in turn lead to the excessive production of androgen in the body. The hair follicles are hypersensitive to these androgens and the hair growth increases.
Causes of Hirsutism
1. Hirsutism is seen in people depending on their place of living. Certain people living in certain environmental conditions are more prone to hirsutism.
2. High level of insulin the body is another cause for hirsutism. The high level of insulin in the blood induces the ovarian cells to give rise to more androgen, the male hormone. This in turn increases the hair growth.
3. Some of the disorders of the body like the congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing’s disease, ovarian disease, polycystic ovary syndrome etc may lead to the over production of androgen in the female body.
4. Certain medications like the hormonal treatments, contraceptive pills and anabolic steroids also increase the level of androgen in the female body.
5. An increase in the concentration of androgen in the body will make the hair follicles more sensitive. The stimulated hair follicles may produce more hairs and also increases the hardness and pigmentation of the hairs. The addition of androgen in the body may also cause irregular menstrual cycle, acne and voice deepening.
6. Hirsutism may be hereditary and it can be transmitted through genes.
Treatment
If you are found to have unusual hair growth then it is advisable to consult a doctor who can rectify the problem easily. Doctor may prescribe you anti-androgen medications that can stop the excessive production of androgen in the body. Thus it will inhibit the new hair growth. In order to remove the existing hairs you have to adopt some of the hair removing methods like shaving, laser treatment, electrolysis, waxing etc.
