Overview
Women generally have fine, light-colored hair covering the upper lip, cheeks, abdomen and back. Hirsutism is the medical term for a condition where a woman grows unwanted or excessive hair in a typically male pattern of hair growth. This condition affects up to 10 percent of women in the United States, according to the Mayo Clinic. Treatment options include home treatments for temporarily removing hair as well as permanent forms of hair removal.
Causes
A woman begins to grow unwanted hair that is more typical of male-patterned growth due to an imbalance of hormones or because of heredity. Androgens are male sex hormones that exist in lesser amounts in females. When women have higher than usual amounts of androgens, unwanted hair may begin to grow. A medical condition that affects women, called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), is the leading cause of this hormonal imbalance.
Symptoms
Symptoms of hirsutism include dark, coarse hair covering areas of the body typically reserved for hair growth in males. These areas include the face, back and chest. In addition to hair growth, women may experience a deeper voice, a decrease in breast size, male-patterned hair loss on the scalp, increased muscle mass and an enlargement of the clitoris, according to the Mayo Clinic. These symptoms come from the increase in male sex hormones in the body.
Complications
Generally, the only complication associated with hirsutism is the emotional toll it may take on a woman. Having dark, unwanted hair on the face or body may make a woman feel embarrassed. Permanent treatments may not be an option, so staying on top of removing the unwanted hair may become time-consuming.
Treatments
Treatments for hirsutism include permanent or temporary hair removal. Temporary hair removal includes shaving, waxing, plucking and using chemicals to remove the hair. Permanent options for treating hirsutism include laser therapy or electrolysis. Both of these permanent options are expensive and may cause side effects such as pain, scarring or changing the normal skin color. Other therapies available include trying to balance the increased amount of male sex hormones in the body with birth control pills that contain female hormones, medications to block androgens in the body and topical creams to slow the regrowth of hair.
Prevention
Women who suffer from PCOS may have the ability to prevent hirsutism by keeping hormones in balance. To assist in maintaining this hormonal balance, women need to avoid obesity. Obesity leads to an increased chance of insulin resistance in the body. By avoiding insulin resistance, the body does not produce as many androgens, thereby decreasing the likelihood of a woman developing hirsutism, according to the Mayo Clinic.
About this Author
Abigail Adams began her freelance writing career in 2009, teaching others about medical conditions and promoting wellness by writing on online health and fitness publications. She is educated and licensed as a registered nurse receiving her degree from North Georgia College and State University.
