Do you also have unwanted hair? Let's talk about Hirsutism!

Are you also embarrassed by the appearance of coarse, dark hair on your upper lip, chin, chest, or stomach instead of the fine hair you normally have? Is this condition causing you any discomfort? Don't worry. This condition, which affects many women, is called hirsutism. It is a treatable condition. Let's talk about it all today.

What is Hirsutism?

Simply put, hirsutism is the growth of thick, dark hair on women's bodies in areas where men usually have hair, such as the upper lip, chin, chest, lower abdomen, or back. This condition replaces the fine, light-colored hair that is normally found in these areas. This can be distressing for many people, but it is important to remember that it is a treatable condition.

Who is affected the most by this situation?

Hirsutism mainly affects women. Although men can also experience this condition, it can be difficult to distinguish from their normal hair growth.

You are more likely to have this condition,

• If someone in your family has conditions that cause this condition, especially conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.
• If you are overweight (obese).
• If you are of Mediterranean, Hispanic, South Asian (like us), or Middle Eastern descent.

Hirsutism is very rare in young children. If it does occur, it is usually a sign of early puberty .

What are the effects of hirsutism on the body?

Hirsutism doesn't actually cause much harm to your physical health. However, it can have a big impact on your mind . The mental stress caused by thinking about this in society and thinking about yourself is not insignificant. Because of this, for some,

• Emotional stress
• Anxiety
• Depression

It can even cause conditions like this. Therefore, it is important to treat this as a physical problem as well as a mental one and seek treatment.

What are the symptoms of hirsutism?

The main symptom is, as we discussed earlier, the growth of thick, dark hair.

In addition, another set of symptoms can occur. We call it Virilization . This happens when the level of hormones called androgens in the body increases too much. Simply put, androgens are a type of "male hormone." These are also produced in small amounts in the female body. But when those levels increase, male-specific symptoms begin to appear.

See what these characteristics are in the table below.

What are the causes of hirsutism?

It is often difficult to find a specific cause for this, but there are several main factors that can cause this condition.

• Increased levels of androgens: We all have androgens in our bodies, but men have more. If a woman's levels of these hormones are elevated, or if her hair follicles become more sensitive to these hormones, hirsutism can occur.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): This is the most common cause of hirsutism. Hirsutism occurs in 70%-80% of women with PCOS. This is caused by the ovaries producing too much androgen hormone. Other symptoms of PCOS include irregular periods, acne, weight gain, and difficulty conceiving.
• Postmenopause: Hormonal changes in the body that occur with menopause can cause facial hair to grow, similar to a beard.
• Cushing's syndrome: This condition is caused by the body producing too much of the hormone cortisol. Other symptoms include facial swelling, slow wound healing, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
• Other serious conditions: If sudden hair growth is accompanied by symptoms such as hoarseness, acne, or muscle growth, it could be a sign of a serious condition, such as an adrenal gland or ovarian tumor.
• Certain medications: Some medications, such as anabolic steroids, testosterone, and minoxidil, can also cause hirsutism.

How is hirsutism diagnosed?

When you see a doctor, he will first examine you and check for the extent of this abnormal hair growth and whether there are any other symptoms, such as acne.

Then, you can use something called the Ferriman-Gallwey scale to measure the severity of the condition. This involves grading the hair growth on 9 major areas of your body (such as your upper lip, chin, chest, stomach, and back) on a scale of 0-4. The scores are added together to determine the severity of the condition.

In addition, you can also do tests like these to find the exact cause:

• Blood tests: Check hormone levels.
• Ultrasound scan: Examine the ovaries and uterus.
• X-rays: To examine the ovaries and adrenal glands to rule out other conditions.

What are the treatments for hirsutism?

Yes, there are effective treatments for hirsutism. There is more than one treatment option, and your doctor will determine what is best for you.

When should I see a doctor?

It's best to see a doctor as soon as you notice this kind of abnormal hair growth. Hirsutism can be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as PCOS. And if it's making you feel stressed or anxious, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor about it.

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