The hair tends to grow in areas typically seen in males.
Several conditions can cause hirsutism, and treatments aim to reduce or eliminate unwanted hair.
This article will discuss hirsutism symptoms, causes, and treatment.
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It will also cover diagnosis and the outlook for those with the condition.
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What Are Hirsutism Symptoms?
These areas are:
Hirsutism vs. Hypertrichosis
Hypertrichosisis similar to hirsutism.
What Causes Hirsutism?
About half the time, hirsutism results from increasedandrogenlevels.
About the other half of the time, hirsutism occurs in females with normal androgen levels.
Androgens are sex hormones normally found in low levels in females and higher levels in males.
When the bodymakes too many androgen hormones, it can cause hirsutism in females.
Can I Have Hirsutism Without PCOS?
While PCOS is the most common cause of hirsutism, other potential causes exist.
Some of the otherrarercauses of increased hair growth are:
Medications can also cause unwanted hair growth.
Medications known to cause hair growth are:
How Is Hirsutism Diagnosed?
A healthcare provider will begin by performing a physical examination to check for excessive hair growth and asking questions.
The provider may order one or more of the following tests, which they can use to diagnose hirsutism.
How Is Hirsutism Treated?
Hirsutism is usually a long-term condition.
The choice to remove excessive hair growth is up to each person.
If the hair growth does not bother them, they can leave it alone.
However, many people choose to remove the hair.
Hair removal options are outlined below.
You may experience a slight stinging sensation during the procedure and some short-term redness and swelling.
The procedure is not permanent, but hair is removed longer than waxing or depilatories.
Electrolysis
During electrolysis, a small needle is inserted into ahair follicleto deliver an electrical charge.
This charge kills the hair down to its root.
You may experience a mild stinging sensation and short-term redness and tenderness.
Any hair that is darker or thicker may require multiple treatments.
Shaving
Shaving cuts the hair at the skin’s surface, leaving a blunt edge.
Moreover, shaving must be done frequently to maintain a hair-free appearance.
The problem with daily shaving is that it can develop ingrown facial hairs andrazor bumps(pseudofolliculitis barbae).
This process pulls the hair entirely out of the shaft.
This typically only needs to be done every three weeks.
Similar to shaving,ingrown hairscan occur.
Medications
Medications can treat hair growth related to hirsutism.
They can decrease the amount of hair or stop new hair growth.
Most medications must be taken for six months before noticeable improvement begins.
Medication options include:
What Is the Prognosis for Hirsutism?
Hirsutism is typically a long-term condition.
There are ways to stop excessive hair growth or remove hair with medicines or external treatments.
It’s important to know thathair folliclesgrow for six months before they fall out.
This means that medicines can take six months before hair growth decreases.
Summary
Hirsutism is unwanted hair growth in females.
It can occur as a result of increased androgen hormones, PCOS, or other causes.
A healthcare provider can diagnose it through a physical exam and diagnostic testing.
Treatment aims to reduce androgen hormones and remove unwanted hair.
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