Hirsutism

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Clik here to view.Hirsutism is a condition of unwanted hair growth  of male pattern in women. Hirsutism results in overgrowth of coarse and pigmented hairs on parts of the body where men typically grow hair, that is, on face, chest and back.

The amount of hair you have is largely determined by genetics. Hirsutism may occur due to excess of male hormone androgen and primarily testosterone. It is also possible due to ethnic or family heritage.

The combination of self-care and medical therapy provides effective treatment for many women suffering from hirsutism.

Symptoms

The main sign of hirsutism are rough and pigmented body hairs that appear on body where women usually do not have hair, primarily on face, chest and back. When excessively high levels of androgens cause hirsutism, other signs may develop over time, and this process is called virilization.

Virilization signs may include:

• Deepening of the voice
• Loss of hair
• Acne
• Decreased breast size
• Increase of clitoris
• Increased muscle mass

When you should seek the advice of doctors

Go to the doctor if you encounter any of the following:

• The rapid growth of unwanted hair in places such as the upper lip, cheeks, chin, neck, breasts, inner thighs and lower part of the back
• Unwanted hair growth associated with irregular menstruation
• Masculine characteristics such as deepening of voice, baldness, increased muscle mass and decreased breast size
• Unwanted hair growth which is worse than drugs

Women who are approaching menopause or are in the early years of menopause may develop coarse beard or other unwanted facial hair, but it is not considered hirsutism. A doctor can distinguish between “stray” hairs that usually develop during menopause and unwanted excess hair resulting from another disorder.

Causes

Until puberty, your body is covered with fine, colorless hairs. When you begin to sexually mature, male sex hormones androgens help those hairs on certain parts of the body to become dark, twisted and rough. Unwanted hair growth in women (hirsutism) may result due to excess androgens or due to the increased sensitivity of hair follicles to androgens.

About half of women with mild hirsutism have high levels of androgens. Severe hirsutism is usually caused by high levels of androgen. Conditions that can cause high levels of androgens include:

•  Polycystic ovary syndrome. This condition is caused by an imbalance of sex hormones, which can lead to irregular menstruation, obesity, infertility, and sometimes cause multiple cysts on the ovaries. Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most commonly identified cause of hirsutism.

•  Cushing’s syndrome. Cushing’s syndrome is a condition that occurs when your body is exposed to high levels of the hormone cortisol, and it is a steroid hormone that is involved in bodily reaction to stress. The syndrome can develop when the adrenal glands create too much cortisol, or it can occur from taking medicines that contain cortisol over a long period. Increased levels of cortisol disturb the balance of sex hormones in your body, which can result in hirsutism.

•  Congenital adrenal hyperplasia. This is an inherited condition characterized by abnormal production of steroid hormones by the adrenal glands, including cortisol and androgens.

•  Tumors. Rarely, a tumor that secretes androgens in the ovaries or adrenal glands can cause hirsutism.

•  Drugs. Some medications can cause hirsutism. One such drug is danazol, and it is used for the treatment of women with endometriosis.

Sometimes the cause cannot be determined

Excessive hair growth in women with normal levels of androgens, regular periods and no other basic conditions is called idiopathic hirsutism, which means that there is no identifiable cause of the disorder.

Treatments and drugs

Treatment of hirsutism often involves a combination of methods of self-care, therapy for hair removal and drugs.

Hair removal therapies include:

•  Electrolysis. This type of therapy involves inserting a needle into each hair follicle and broadcasting of electrical current pulse in order to damage and eventually destroy the hair follicle. Electrolysis results in permanent hair removal, but the process can be quite painful. There are creams that are spread out on your skin to reduce the unpleasant feeling. Adverse effects are lightening or darkening of the skin on those parts, and rarely scarring.

• Laser therapy. Laser therapy is a procedure in which a beam of highly concentrated light (laser) passes through the skin, thus damaging the hair follicle and preventing hair growth. Individual therapy can last from several minutes to several hours, depending on the size of the area being treated. After treatment, some people have long periods without hair growth, while others may need occasional extra treatments. Laser hair removal method can be uncomfortable; you can feel the feeling of hot lard sprayed on your skin. Laser therapy can cause redness and swelling, and can also cause burns and discolouration of the skin. Laser treatments are expensive.

• Drug therapies for the treatment of hirsutism include:

• Oral contraceptives. Birth control pills or other hormonal contraceptives, which contain estrogen and progestin, treat hirsutism by preventing the production of androgens in your ovaries. Possible side effects include dizziness, nausea, headache and stomach problems.

• Antiandrogens. These types of drugs block androgens from connecting to their receptors in the body. Possible side effects of these drugs include drowsiness, nausea, irregular menstrual cycles, electrolyte disturbances and diarrhea. Because these drugs can cause birth defects in children, it is important to use them with a good contraceptive.

• Topical creams. These creams are applied directly to the affected area of the face and slow the growth of new hair, but they won’t rid you of existing hairs. Such cream takes up to two months to show results, and hair growth returns to the old levels within eight weeks when you stop to using the cream. Side effects may include tickling, tingling or rash on the skin.

After the start of consuming the drug for hirsutism, usually it takes at least a month before you see a significant difference in hair growth. It is recommended that you continue to take medicine for six months before changing or adding medications or changing the dose.

Prenatal care

If you consume drugs for hirsutism, and want to have a child, talk about it with your doctor. Women who take certain medicines for the treatment of hirsutism are advised not to become pregnant. If you have hirsutism and irregular menstrual periods, perhaps you are suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome, and they can inhibit fertility.