Hirsutism – Excess Hair Growth
In the 1800s, the bearded lady was a staple of many circus shows. Today, although medical professionals know that hirsutism is a serious problem, social stigma still affects women suffering from this condition.
What is hirsutism?
Hirsutism is a condition in which women suffer from excess hair – in some cases, as much hair on the face and body as men. Generally, it refers to hair growth that mimics hair growth normal in men. This means, women with hirsutism may grow hair on their chest, face, and even back as well as on their legs and arms. In some cases, hirsutism is caused by other diseases, but in most cases the condition is caused by hormones or genetics.
How is it diagnosed?
If you suspect you may suffer from hirsutism, you need to a see doctor to determine whether there are any underlying reasons for the condition. You will likely be asked about family health history (especially about the hair growth on your relatives) and you will be given a blood test. You will be asked about your own medical history and you will be asked what medications you are currently taking. This is because some medications and medical conditions produce additional hair growth. In most cases, doctors will also check to see how much of the male hormone testosterone you are producing.
Why do some people suffer from it?
In most cases, it is simply an inherited trait. Even though it begins at puberty, women may find that the problem gets worse with time, leading them to believe they are developing a new problem. Inherited hirsutism is not really a dangerous medical condition, but doctors have become aware that it can be a serious issue that can affect a woman’s life adversely.
Does it have any other effects?
Yes, some women who suffer from hirsutism may develop poor self-esteem and may feel very shy in social situations. Since the condition mimics male hair growth, some women with this condition may feel (wrongly) that they are somehow less womanly or sexy. If left unresolved, excessive hair growth may make some women unhappy, depressed, and even isolated from others. Because of this, any good doctor will talk to you about the ways hirsutism affects your life and will offer possible solutions. If the first doctor you talk to is dismissive, look for another one. There is no reason anyone needs to deal with excessive body hair when so many options are available.
What are the best management strategies?
In most cases, the condition itself is not treated. Rather, women are encouraged to find mechanical means of getting rid of hair. Waxing, electrolysis, and other long-term methods are often very useful. Since it is now accepted as a medical condition, some women may find that their health coverage covers some or all of their hair removal treatments, which can allow women to get permanent hair removal and thus resolve the problem. Many women have also been very happy with the results they achieve with Vaniqa, a new prescription drug that inhibits hair growth.
Are there any over the counter treatments available?
Kalo Hair Growth Inhibitor contains a proprietary formula which is not available in any other hair removal products. It is probably not quite as effective as Vaniqa, but it is a lot less harsh and you can get it without a prescription. All matters considered it seems to have proven to be an effective and reliable product, so give it a try to reduce hirsutism.
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Dear,
I am 22 year old female, I have this unwanted hair problem specially face, upperlip , chin ,sidelocks, legs, lower abdom. I have gone for some tests in 2006 and till now my problem is not solve dby the doctor…I seek your advice in this regard. My problem became prominent at the age of 15 and I gain weight during that period but no one noticed that. Now the problem is worse I can not go anywhere it feels so embarssing it appears that I shave my face and being a girl it feels pathetic..my test results are as follows..
1) Blood Sugar 69.5 mg%
2) Serum Insulin 6.16 ulU/ml
3)Prolactin 7.68ng/ml
4)Thyroid stimulating hormones TSH 2.85ulU/ml
5) Free teststrone 1.02pg/ml
6) Progestron .75 ng/ml
7) testosterone 42.62 ng/dl
8)LH 6.42 mlU/ml
9)FSH 5.79 mlU/ml
10) 17 Alfa hydroxy progesterone 1.23 ng/ml
Does these test reveal some medical problem for this hair treatment . This test were done in may 2006 . Can you please suggest some homeo treatment for the same.
Dear Bonita,
Have you been checked for Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome? 70-80 percent of women with hirsutism have PCOS.
Also, your weightgain is another indicator for PCOS.
If you want a natural treatment, use D-Chiro Inositol. Is a natural supplement to relief symptoms of PCOS such as unwanted hairgrowth. It will also help you to lose weight, because your response to sugars will improve.
Good luck, don’t let this get you down!
Jessica
So, did this D-Chiro Inositol actually work for you
D-chiro Inositol helped to normalize my hormonal health. acne disappeared and hairgrowth is less severe. Menstrual cycles more regular. I feel a lot better, no more food cravings, less tired.
I have been using Vaniqa for about a year now (and not to mention how much many I have spent on this product) I have found that Vaniqa does not work on dark hairs. ( me) It does slow down the growth to a few days, but this is a product that you have to use forever. When you stop the use of Vaniqa the hair comes back quicker and thicker.
hi its vanessa again, i also have this problem and its very serious, i have side burns,i have a few tht come out on my neck, my chest,i even have hair on my feet and nuckles, i have hair on my stomach, my lower back, and my butt and not like thin hair, im talking about thick hairs, and all i do to remove them is either shave or pluck them out either way they never leave and i end up getting a mark or razor bump or something, and it just doesnt look rite im a women, with side burns and everytime i might get “lucky” its a problem because i have to make sure tht i shaved everywhere or something, my dad is deffenately a hairy person and i know i got this from him. im scarde to try pills because i dont want my hair to fall out or anything i just need help because this is honestly something tht i keep in ive never been to a doctor for this, i wanna make sure tht there is nothing tht i can possibly do, then going to the doctor would be my last resort please try and help me
Hello. I unfortunately have this issue as well. I am from Columbus, Ohio and the health care hear is horrible especially, if you are not rich, a person of color and have no insurance. The doctors here don’t give a damn is all about lying, to make you keep coming for treatment that you do not need. I am not surprise, if the water is loaded with something that caused this issue. My skin(texture) and hair growth has became extremely worse. I agree with the last sista that stated about not feeling confident and feeling less sexy and beautiful, when you want to be with someone. You should never shave your hair because it makes it more course and multiply. I learned that the hard way. I was a young girl that was teased and ostracized for being so fair-skinned and on top of that having hair. So unfortunately I shaved just to feel some type of normalcy. I am a attractive girl with attractive features but it hard to feel beautiful and enjoy being confident when you have this problem and no one gives a damn.
hello,
I am also suffering from the same problem and second whatever everyone has said. This is quite frustrating and often gets me depressed. My parents dont know about this condition and i cant confront them even when i know that they are very supportive and always by my side. i feel so ashamed of myself. i want to see a doctor but cant until i talk to my parents about this. What should I do? I need a permanent solution. I am a cheerful and optimistic girl but this problem always pushes me back. i have so many things planned for my future and i dont want my problem to be an obstacle. Please Please help me and advice me on what i should do.
I can so empathize with you Ms So Sad. High school was difficult for me as well. My hirsutism is not as bad as it is now. My hair grew very fine but dark. Whatever you do, DO NOT SHAVE IT. Try to get it waxed or pluck them out. I shaved them through highschool and college and girl, I look like a man on my chin.I do not want you to go through that. I have coarse hairs througout my chin and they are in the hundreds now. See if your parents can give you laser treatments. My Aunt has had this procedure done and she looks fabulous. You can not tell she had a beard on her face at all. These damn doctors, need to give us those HORMONE SHOTS that they give those transsexuals. You see how the men that transtion to women skins and bodies are, after they have those shots. They no longer have any hair or visible follicles on their faces or on other body parts. So why are women, REAL WOMEN being kept from this treatment.
thank you janelle for understanding me and the advise. hope i can confront my parents and go see a doctor and get my hirsutism treated ASAP. but in my country there arent many places to get this laser treatment and hopefully i can afford it. Anyways thanks a lot specially when only few can understand what we go through.
: )
I am sorry to hear that. I assumed that you reside in the U.S.A. Well, be thankful that God has not placed the hair all over your body as it has mine. It’s very hard though. Try to surround yourself with positive people that love you and keep in touch. Here is my facebook address:
http://www.facebook.com/people/Stacie-Be/100001240056763
I am contemplating getting a 7 week $800 Radio Frequency typer laser to remove acne on my face which im pretty sure is due to hirsutism. I have started to get dark hairs around my nipples in the past 2 years which has progressively gotten worse, but luckily i dont have any other overly abnormal hairy areas, though my pubic region is very thick and extends down to my upper thigh almost. I get the few long dark hairs around my abdomen below my belly button, but the worst are the breast hairs. I have to pluck before going out as low cut tops will reveal this horribly embarrasing problem. It has caused me to break up with my previous partner due to embarrassment, and I have had over 20+ IPL treatments to get rid of the hair (which DOESNT work trust me, slows the growth, thats about IT ! ) I also had over 20+ IPL treatments on my face for acne, which also did nothing, and to which doctors have told me does not treat acne, it only helps lessen the swelling and redness and scarring. Argh – Ive wasted almost 2 years and so much money on depilitory products, IPL, every acne treatment or product out there – HELP ME as I really dont want to fork out $800 for RF treatment for my acne, if I still need to fix the hair problem, and I could be on that Spirolactone medication or something for the entire underlying problem of hirsutism. Oh I have had blood tests recently for thyroid, pcos and other hormonal imbalances, and everythign came up fine my Doctor said.
Dear Gargamel,
look for Soprano laser, this is the best laser treatment at the moment. Highly effective.
If you want to treat the underlying cause of hirsutism, use D-chiro Inositol or start a low glycemic diet. You have to reverse your insulin resistancem, which causes the theca cells in your ovaries to produce ecxess androgens.
Spironolactone is not very healthy and certainly not recommended as a first line treatment for hirsutism currently.
Hope this helps, good luck!
Love,
Jessica
Thanks heaps jessica, I have an appointment with a womens health specialist this week and will mention that spirons not my prefered treatment (I was going to ask for this so thank you! I didnt know it had adverse effects)
Do you knwo if this soprano lasre is in australia? I might look it up….
glad this info helps.
oof Soprano in Australia, wouldn’t know. I live al the way up in the Netherlands.
Hope you find one though.
For health, the first thing you want to do, is to reverse insuline resistance. This you do through either;
1. D-chiro inositol,
2. a really large dosis of myo inositol (percursor od D-chiro inositol) and/or
3. a low glycemic diet. You can buy the book “low GI guide to managing PCOS” at amazon.com or just http://www.glycemicindex.com
Once you have achieved this in 2 or three months, you will feel better, more energy, less moodswings, more regular mentrual cycles and the amount of androgens circulating in your blood will be reduced.
Hope this helps. Best wishes,
Jessica Damhuis