Excessive hairiness. Excessive hair on the body: what is normal and what is hirsutism? The effect of contraceptives on increased hairiness

The most popular causes of excess body hair growth in women is a pressing question. Many girls dream of thick and beautiful hair, but only on their heads, because any appearance of unwanted hair on the body causes aesthetic discomfort. Thin hair on the body is normal, but if there is increased growth, especially in the so-called male areas, then this may indicate serious disorders in the body that need to be immediately diagnosed and treated.

The reasons for the growth of hair on the chest in women, as well as in other places on the face and body, can be very different:

• hypertrichosis is a disease that can be congenital (as a result of gene mutation) and acquired (from cancer, anorexia nervosa). Hair may begin to grow in atypical places, for example, on the shoulder blade, asymmetrically;
• hirsutism is a disease manifested by excessive male pattern hair growth (on the face, chest, back);
• heredity or ethnicity - it is known that an Oriental girl is more predisposed to hair growth than an Asian girl;
• pregnancy - during fetal ripening, a woman experiences a hormonal explosion, which leads to an imbalance; as a result, hypertrichosis may occur, but in a mild form. Fine hair, fluff, becomes denser and pigmented; very rarely, the appearance of vegetation in atypical places is observed. Usually, after childbirth, the hormonal levels stabilize and the problem ceases to exist.

– a disease caused by increased production of androgens and testosterone (these are male sex hormones).

The most common cause of excessive secretion of male hormones is a malfunction of the ovaries - observed in 90% of cases. The most common disease is. It is the ovaries that produce sex hormones, such as:

• gestagens;
• androgens.

If the amount of androgens produced increases sharply, the following reactions of the body can be observed:

• rapid growth of facial hair;
• change in the size of the genital organs;
• increased growth of muscle mass;
• growth of laryngeal cartilage, and as a result, deepening of the voice.

Among other causes of hirsutism, the following are the most common:

• diseases of the adrenal glands - this organ is involved in the production of male hormones, so disruption of its normal functioning also leads to excessive hairiness;
• can lead to excessive testosterone production, which will promote;
• impaired metabolism;
• oncological diseases;
• hereditary predisposition;
• pregnancy, menopause, puberty – provoke changes in hormonal levels;
• taking hormone-containing drugs.

Symptoms of hirsutism, diagnosis, treatment

In addition to increased hairiness, symptoms of hirsutism may include the following:

• increased greasiness of hair and skin;
• the appearance of acne;
• , begins as in men from the temporal part of the head;
• menstruation disorders;
• infertility;
• development of signs of virilization - a woman looks like a man - there is an increase in muscle mass, a decrease in mammary glands, and an increase in libido.

The appearance of such symptoms causes discomfort in a woman, but it should be understood that this also indicates a disruption in the functioning of internal organs, which can lead to more serious problems. If there is at least one such symptom, this is a reason to contact a specialist:

• gynecologist;
• endocrinologist;
• therapist.

After a comprehensive diagnosis, a diagnosis will be established and adequate treatment will be prescribed - eliminating the primary factor in the manifestation of hirsutism:

• removal of a tumor in the adrenal glands, pituitary gland;
• removal of cysts in the ovaries;
• adjustment of hormonal medications.

After the main problem is solved, you can begin to treat increased hair growth:

• prescribe antiandrogenic drugs that reduce the level of male hormones;
• following a diet that normalizes metabolic processes in the body;
• Cosmetological methods of combating unwanted hair:
  • lightening;
  • hair removal with wax, creams, sugaring;
  • photoepilation;
  • laser hair removal.

Before starting treatment, you need to understand that this process will be long - at least 6 months, but it will not be possible to completely get rid of unwanted hair. It would be useful to visit a psychologist.

Other causes of excess hair growth

Excessive hair growth can be caused by the following:

• cortisone;
• hydrocortisone;
• streptomycin;
• drugs of the penicillin group;
• cephalosporin antibiotics;
• psoralen.

If such drugs are prescribed for the treatment of various diseases, you should not immediately worry - they do not always provoke excess hair growth on the body of women, but it is necessary to control the level of secretion of testosterone and androgens.

There is such a concept - idiopathic hirsutism - this is a disease the exact cause of which has not been established.

Presumably, a woman begins to produce enzymes in excess, which increase the sensitivity of hair follicles to male hormones. As a result, of all the symptoms of hirsutism, only hair growth, thickening and pigmentation are observed, the menstrual cycle, and reproductive function are normal.

Other reasons:

• Stress is the cause of increased hairiness. If a woman needs masculine qualities to work in certain areas of activity, then her psyche can be restructured, and the body will react with increased production of testosterone. There is such a term - masculinization of women - it is applicable in this case.
• Nervous exhaustion, anorexia, and nervous system defects can also lead to the appearance of unwanted facial hair.
• – can occur as a result of injury, on scars, moles, in places where hair is frequently pulled out.
• Age-related changes in a woman’s body lead to a natural attenuation of the activity of the ovaries, and they begin to produce androgens to a greater extent. Hair growth may indicate the onset of menopause.
• Oddly enough, many anti-aging face creams that are recommended for women over 50 can enhance hair growth. You should be wary if it contains a large amount of lanolin, hormonal substances and biostimulants.

How to stop hair growth on women's bodies

If the main problem that led to the occurrence of hirsutism has been solved, then you can proceed directly to eliminating its consequences. Treatment of the severe stage is carried out with medication, and hormone therapy is most often prescribed:

• Janine;
• Diana-5;
• Spironolactone;
• Cyproterone;
• Ketoconazole;
• Medroxyprogesterone.

These drugs are available in tablet form, the course of treatment lasts from 3 to 6 months. If the dynamics are positive, but the result is insufficient, the attending physician may extend the course for another six months.

If congenital hirsutism is observed, then other drugs are prescribed:

• dexamethasone;
• prednisolone.

If hypertrichosis is diagnosed, then it cannot be treated, and the hair is removed by any available means. The most effective is laser hair removal, the action of which is aimed at destroying the hair follicle, as a result of which nothing will grow in this place.

If a woman has a metabolic disorder, then a diet must be prescribed.

There are several folk recipes, but they are aimed only at bleaching facial hair in women or removing it:

• Hydrogen peroxide is mixed with ammonia, the mixture is applied to the hair. To improve the effect, wrap the area with cling film. Leave for 15–25 minutes, rinse with warm water. As a result, the hair becomes almost colorless and is no longer so noticeable to others. As a side effect, burning and redness of the skin is observed, so it should not be applied to a large surface for the first time;
• hair lightener, which can be bought ready-made, it is often sold together with dye. The action is similar to a mixture of peroxide and ammonia;

ash or sifted ash are also used as a clarifier, only you should add laundry soap grated on a fine grater to it. The mixture is applied to the hair, left for 15 minutes and washed off. This procedure is more gentle, but will require several repetitions.

Bibliography

1. Diabetes mellitus in pregnant women. Makarov O.V., Ordynsky Moscow 2010 P.127.
2. Emergency conditions in obstetrics. Sukhikh V.N., G.T.Sukhikh, I.I.Baranov et al., Publisher: Geotar-Media, 2011.
3. Kozlova V.I., Puhner A.F. Viral, chlamydial and mycoplasma diseases of the genitals. Guide for doctors. St. Petersburg 2000.-574 p.
4. Rakovskaya I.V., Vulfovich Yu.V. Mycoplasma infections of the urogenital tract. - M.: Medicine, 1995.
5. Emergency conditions in obstetrics and gynecology: diagnosis and treatment. Pearlman M., Tintinally J. 2008. Publisher: Binom. Knowledge Laboratory.

She graduated from the Kirov State Medical Academy in 2006. In 2007 she worked at the Tikhvin Central District Hospital on the basis of the therapeutic department. From 2007 to 2008 - employee of a mining company hospital in the Republic of Guinea (West Africa). From 2009 to the present, he has been working in the field of information marketing of medical services. We work with many popular portals, such as Sterilno.net, Med.ru, website

Manifested by excess hair growth. The growth of terminal hair in androgen-dependent areas is called hirsutism. Good health to everyone who visited the blog “Hormones are normal!”

In fact, the problem of excess hair growth has become a concern in recent decades. Remember your mothers, grandmothers, aunts. Were they really worried about increased hairiness, if any? With the adoption of new beauty canons, walking with unshaven legs or armpits is considered bad manners. And I’m generally silent about the mustache. The fashion for intimate hairstyles is also keeping up.

And that’s why girls and women, having read terrible articles about hirsutism on the Internet, run to gynecologists and endocrinologists for help in order to find out the cause of increased hair growth. Is a truly endocrinological cause of hirsutism in women so common? It turned out not. Diseases in which hirsutism develops are quite rare. But there is no smoke without fire. Therefore, if a woman comes to an appointment with such a problem, she must be examined in order to reassure the patient once and for all.

In fact, the term “hirsutism in women” is not entirely correct. I'll explain why. Since the word “hirsutism” implies excessive growth of terminal hair in androgen-dependent areas, such growth in men is considered completely normal. Therefore, the term “hirsutism in men” simply does not exist.

Hypertrichosis or hirsutism in women

There is another term associated with hair growth - hypertrichosis. Hypertrichosis is the increased growth of terminal and vellus hair in places where their growth is normal. Hypertrichosis can affect both women and men.

Let me give you an example. It is considered normal for a woman to have hair growing on her lower legs. And with hypertrichosis, excess hair will be noted. And if a woman begins to develop terminal hair on her chest or chin, for example, then this is considered hirsutism.

How to distinguish terminal hair from vellus hair? The human body is covered with vellus hair from birth. They are thin, short, soft, almost colorless. Vellus hair resembles fluff and grows even in areas where hair growth is dependent on androgen levels. Such zones are called androgen-dependent zones.

As a person gets older, his hormonal levels change and terminal hair begins to appear. They are brightly pigmented, coarse and longer than vellus hair.

As I said above, the presence of terminal hair in androgen-dependent areas is important for women. Unfortunately, many of our compatriots believe that hair growth on the legs and forearms is a sign of hirsutism, and they begin a long, useless search for diseases.

What zones are androgen-dependent?

Androgen-dependent areas include the skin of the face (above the upper lip and chin), neck, chest (between the mammary glands), back (upper part), abdomen (upper part), and shoulders.

The growth of terminal hair in the lower abdomen and back, as well as near the nipples, is mistakenly considered a pathology, while this is the absolute norm.

But even the growth of terminal hair in androgen-dependent areas does not always indicate hirsutism in a woman. To determine obvious pathology, there is a special visual Ferryman-Gallwey scale.

Below you see a picture that shows how to calculate this indicator. Choose the picture that suits you best in each line and count your points.

A score on this scale not exceeding 8 points is considered normal. In this case, hair growth can be explained by a hereditary predisposition in which there is a congenital hypersensitivity to androgens.

Usually the same hair growth is observed in the previous generation along the female line. Belonging to certain ethnic groups also increases this indicator. For example, women of Caucasian nationalities are more “hairy” than Europeans.

If a woman’s hirsutism is pronounced and this is confirmed by the Ferryman-Gallway scale (more than 8 points), then it is necessary to find out the cause of hirsutism.

Hirsutism itself does not pose any threat, rather, only discomfort from the aesthetic side. But it is a sign of other more dangerous endocrine diseases.

The causes of hirsutism in a woman can be:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (the most common cause of hirsutism)
• (diseases occurring with increased cortisol)
• (VDKN)
• Obesity and diabetes
• Menopause (estrogens levels decrease, against this background the effects of androgens begin to appear)
• Tumors of the ovaries and adrenal glands
• Hereditary or familial hirsutism
• Taking certain medications (glucocorticoids, anabolic steroids, cyclosporine, interferon)
• Idiopathic hirsutism (the cause of the high sensitivity of the hair follicles to androgens or increased activity of the enzyme that converts testosterone to the active form is unknown)

In rare cases, increased hair growth is observed, as with hypothyroidism.

If you notice signs of significant hirsutism, you should always contact a specialist to clarify the cause of hirsutism, so as not to miss a serious disease. Read the following article for methods of treating hirsutism in women.

With warmth and care, endocrinologist Dilyara Lebedeva

Increased hairiness in medical practice is also called hirsutism. Most often, this phenomenon occurs in people with light and thin skin. In order to distinguish pathology from the norm, it is necessary to carefully study the structure of the hairline. A healthy girl who does not suffer from this unpleasant problem has thin and short hair, usually resembling a small light fluff. If there is a pathology, then hair begins to cover not only the face, but also the hips, upper and lower limbs. At the same time, the hairline is hard and dark in color.

general information

The main reason for the occurrence of such an unpleasant pathology in girls or older women lies in virilization. To make it more clear, this means that this category of people has excessive androgen activity. Therefore, male signs of hair growth may occur.

It should be noted that many people confuse this symptom with hypertrichosis. However, there is a difference; with increased hairiness, hair growth begins to increase in typical places specifically for men, for example: in the face or on the stomach.

With the second pathology, hair begins to form in absolutely any part of the female body. As a rule, hypertrichosis is associated with disrupted hormonal levels, so you need to carefully monitor your health.

Causes

As mentioned above, excessive hairiness is primarily associated with the presence of high levels of male hormones, which are called androgens and testosterones.

This problem can arise for various reasons. For example, hairiness can be hidden in polycystic ovary syndrome. These benign cysts, which in turn begin to form in the ovaries, can affect the production of hormones. Against this background, the girl experiences menstrual irregularities, and her fertility quickly decreases. Therefore, there is a risk of increased hairiness, as the hormonal system changes dramatically.

Additional signs of polycystic ovary syndrome include: constant fatigue, pain in the pelvic area, frequent headaches and problems with sleep.

In addition, with this pathology, blood pressure increases, the skin becomes dark in color, and abnormal uterine bleeding may occur. If measures are not taken in a timely manner, then not only will severe hairiness become more active, but there is also a risk of infertility in the future.

The second reason for increased hairiness is hidden in the disruption of the adrenal glands.

For example:

1. If the girl has a history of cancer or another benign tumor.
2. With congenital hyperplasia of this organ, male-type hair growth is also often observed.
3. In rare cases, increased hairiness occurs due to adrenocortical carcinoma or Cushing's disease.

If you delve more closely into the anatomy, you will notice that the adrenal glands are located slightly above the kidneys; they are responsible for the production of hormones.

It should be noted that if a person was born with hyperplasia of this organ, then the body does not have the necessary enzyme that would be responsible for the production of the hormone. Therefore, this process in most cases leads to overproduction of male hormones. This mechanism manifests itself not only in hair growth; the girl’s clitoris also enlarges and early puberty occurs. In this case, doctors prescribe special medications that will help reduce the level of androgens in the girl’s body in a short period of time.

As mentioned above, excessive sweating can occur against the background of Cushing's disease. After all, for such a disease, the drug Cortisol is prescribed, which affects the girl’s hormonal levels.

When adrenocortical carcinoma is detected, there is excess production of male hormones, particularly androgen. Therefore, often with this pathology, girls experience increased hair growth.

Let's look at the main symptoms that are characteristic of an adrenal disorder. The clinic is as follows:

1. Quite high blood pressure is noted.
2. A woman or girl experiences weakness not only in the bones, but also in the muscles.
3. There is excess weight in the upper body.
4. Often a girl with an adrenal disorder suffers from a severe headache.

In addition, at the time of laboratory examination, the patient’s blood shows a high or, conversely, too low sugar level.

Many people ask whether medications can lead to increased hairiness? Yes, and this happens often.

If you take a drug for a long time to stimulate hair growth on your head, for example: Minoxidil, then hair will begin to grow not only in the area you need, but throughout your body. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully consider this drug.

An equally common drug called Anabolic steroids is often used by female athletes. But, every woman and girl should understand that such steroids are synthetic variations of testosterone. Therefore, steroids from this group must be used in reasonable quantities, and only under the supervision of a doctor.

Cyclosporine, this drug has a strong immunomodulatory spectrum of action. Prescribed for nephropathy, autoimmune diseases, as well as for the treatment of psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis. If used incorrectly, there is a risk that hair will begin to grow outside the desired area.

In addition to these drugs, drugs from the corticosteroid group can also lead to increased hairiness. After all, such drugs can suppress the immune system, especially with long-term use.

Diagnostics

If there is increased hairiness, the girl needs to undergo a thorough laboratory examination. First of all, doctors prescribe a blood test for such patients to determine the levels of the hormone testosterone. Not only the total indicator of this hormone is measured, but also its free level, that is, that part of the hormones that does not bind to proteins in the blood.

Blood sampling is required to determine the level of androgens and DHT (dihydrotestosterone).

If there is an increase in at least one hormone, doctors prescribe additional examination methods. Instrumental diagnostic methods, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging are used. Such examination methods are necessary to exclude tumors in the adrenal glands.

Treatment of increased hairiness in girls

If a girl is overweight and has increased hairiness, short-term hormonal therapy is prescribed as treatment. The main goal of this treatment is to correct the level of androgen hormones in the body. But you cannot take hormonal medications on your own, because the opposite effect may occur. Therefore, the drug is prescribed on an individual basis, taking into account the severity of the pathology, age and concomitant diseases.

If necessary, the girl is prescribed contraceptives. Complex treatment also includes taking antiandrogenic medications. Such drugs help to quickly block androgen receptors, thereby reducing the formation of male hormones in the female body.

The most common drugs:

1. Spironolactone.
2. Finasteride.

The first drug has a persistent diuretic effect. Contraindications for use:

• menstrual irregularities;
• not prescribed in the first trimester of pregnancy;
• if the girl has a history of diabetic nephropathy;
• with renal failure or diabetes mellitus.

Finasteride has a rather complex composition; the drug has an exclusively antiandrogenic spectrum of action. Despite the fact that the drug according to the instructions is contraindicated for use by women, it is still prescribed. But at the same time, the doctor controls the entire course of treatment.

As for combined birth control pills or oral contraceptives, they are prescribed to reduce cysts if the problem arose for this reason. Due to the estrogen contained in the product, it helps to quickly eliminate excess hair. The course of contraceptive medications is at least 3 to 6 months. The first results can be seen six months after use.

A variety of creams help get rid of excess hair. Most often, doctors prescribe Vaniqa® to girls. The cream must be used 2 times a day; it can help slow down the growth of hair follicles.

It should be noted that this cream is not able to eliminate hair, it simply slows down growth. Therefore, the cream must be used in combination with drug therapy, otherwise you will not achieve a positive result.

Note! There are a lot of creams, you can choose an expensive and a cheap option, but before use you need to consult a specialist.

In case of increased hairiness, hair removal can be performed. Of course, this is not a medical way to get rid of the problem, but it will help eliminate the girl’s feeling of general discomfort. Hair is removed from the bikini area, under the arms or on the legs, face and other parts of the body. If you can’t do regular hair removal at home, you can use a depilator. But, be sure to use a special cream during depilation that will slow down the growth of follicles.

The effectiveness does not last long after depilation; the girl’s hair disappears, but in its place, after a certain period of time, thick and dark hair grows again.

Many women with this problem resort to laser hair removal. This procedure cannot be performed for everyone; there are a number of contraindications.

For radiation hair removal, a light beam is used that is directed exclusively to the problem area. Undesirable vegetation on the skin begins to disappear.

If you complete a full course of laser treatment, you can achieve a fairly lasting, positive result.

Another method to eliminate increased hairiness is to resort to the electrolysis procedure. The main goal of treatment is to apply electrical current to the area.

This procedure is very effective, since each hair follicle is treated. Of course, not all girls will be able to afford to undergo the full course of this treatment, since the procedures are very expensive.

Photos of girls with increased hairiness

Pay attention to the presented photographs. As we said, increased hairiness can occur on any part of the body. Girls feel awkward with such an existing problem.

Therefore, drastic measures must be taken immediately. You should not allow complete hair growth.

Traditional methods of treating hairiness in girls

Traditional methods of treatment can also be used for this problem in girls. Walnut helps with increased hairiness. You will need green peel; this is what you need to lubricate the affected areas several times a day.

Ash is often used for hair growth. This recipe must be used carefully so as not to injure the skin, especially if the problem occurs in a delicate area where the epidermis is delicate.

Preparation: dilute 1 tablespoon with water, then apply to the problem area. Carry out the procedure 2 times a day. The course of treatment is individual. This recipe can be used for a small affected area. If there is a lot of hair, then additionally resort to drug therapy.

At home, you can prepare a tincture based on walnuts. To prepare the recipe you will need approximately one part of the walnut partitions and 200 ml of vodka. Mix everything and leave in a dark place for 14 days, stirring the tincture periodically. The recipe is intended for internal use, drink 1 tablespoon once a day.

Important! If you have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, then before using the finished tincture, you should consult a doctor.

Datura herb also helps well with this problem. To prepare the recipe, you need about half a glass of this herb and about a liter of boiling water. Move everything and cook over low heat for 30 minutes.

Application: first you need to thoroughly soak a sterile napkin in the prepared solution. Then apply it to the problem area. This compress should be kept until the napkin is completely dry.

If after some time a burning or discomfort occurs, you must stop the procedure and repeat the next day. If the discomfort continues, then this method is not suitable for you.

Often, as part of complex treatment, doctors prescribe milkweed juice to girls for this problem. It can be bought at a pharmacy or prepared at home. Apply the prepared juice to the affected area several times a day. The course of treatment ranges from 7-14 days. If a positive effect does not occur within this period of time, try a different recipe or adhere to standard drug therapy.

As a quick and inexpensive method for hair removal, you can use simple hydrogen peroxide, which must first be mixed with ammonia.

Preparation: mix two ingredients in equal proportions. Since the recipe has a specific odor, put a protective mask on the mouth and glasses so as not to injure the respiratory organs and mucous membrane of the eyes.

Application: apply the mixture to the affected area, then wrap the area with cling film to achieve the best possible result.

Leave everything for 15-20 minutes, then rinse off the residue with water at room temperature. My hair acquires a lighter shade, so it becomes less noticeable to people around me. If there is little hairiness, then the hair falls out under the influence of alcohol. In case of extensive damage, this recipe cannot be used; there is a risk of burns.

A recipe based on young raspberry leaves also helps with this problem. Before use, they must be ground, mixed with a liter of boiling water or vodka, then infused. If mixed with water, it will steep for 1-2 days, but doctors recommend mixing with vodka. In this case, infuse the recipe for 8 days.

Take in small portions, approximately 6-10 drops 3 times a day. Be sure to strain the tincture before use to avoid discomfort during use.

Not many people know, but horse chestnut also works well against increased hairiness. You will need mature seeds, which must be ground and infused in alcohol. Take only after prior consultation with a doctor, especially if the problem arose at a young age.

As you can see, there are a lot of treatment methods. A girl will notice the first signs of hair growth immediately, so it is best to consult a doctor who can find out the cause of this problem and eliminate it. If the drug or folk recipe is incorrectly selected, there is a risk of serious complications, so be extremely careful, monitor your health and avoid provoking factors that can lead to increased hairiness in a girl.

Often girls are faced with the problem of increased hair growth on their arms and legs, but despite the apparent external unaesthetics, this is not a disease, but a predisposition. Hirsutism in women is considered a rather severe malfunction of the hormonal system and is one of the primary signs of virilization.

Symptoms of hirsutism

It should immediately be noted that there are several types of hair on the human body. As many people know, the entire skin is dotted with the finest non-pigmented hairs or fluff. If, for some reason, instead of fluff, hard pigmented processes begin to appear on the back and stomach - this is a sure signal of an increase in testosterone in the body.

First of all, male pattern hair appears in young girls in the form of thickets on the face. The temporal processes begin to lengthen, and the line of the antennae becomes more noticeable. It is noteworthy that this hair is not “female”: it is short and does not curl, has a dense structure and resembles overgrown stubble.

Symptoms of the first signs of hirsutism:

1. Changing skin type. Excessive production of testosterone by the ovaries provokes hyperactivation of the sebaceous glands. They begin to produce more oil and sweat, which can result in the formation of blackheads and pimples;
2. Hair growth in the nipple area, inner thighs, stomach, back, buttocks;
3. Increased hair growth on the arms and shoulders.

Further, as the disease develops, it is divided into types on a scale from 0 to 4. Accordingly, 1 is the primary signs (slight darkening of the hair, a visible mustache line), and 4 is the main signs of androgen. After the fourth stage, symptoms of virilization in women may develop, which is a consequence of hirsutism.

1. An audible deepening of the voice, the appearance of hoarseness;
2. Often – an increase in muscle mass, much less often – a decrease in fat mass. By the way, this is the main side effect of many sports fat burners;
3. More pronounced masculine characteristics may emerge. This is a reduction in the visible labia and an enlargement of the clitoris, which in women is the “analogue” of the male genital organ. In the future, in the absence of treatment, attraction to the opposite sex ceases, and various neurotic conditions may arise.

For girls who have been diagnosed with this disruption of hormone production, a big problem is getting pregnant and giving birth normally.

Causes of hirsutism in women

The causes of hirsutism in women can be different, from predisposition to taking oral contraceptives or special medications. The main factors for the appearance of this disease can be divided into external and internal.

1. External are the effects of medications. For example, oral contraceptives, which affect the production of antiandrogenic hormones, are “fire” contraceptives. This also includes various types of corticosteroids, fat burners, dietary supplements for building muscle mass;
2. Internal. The organs that are responsible for the normal amount of androgens in the body are the adrenal glands. Accordingly, with any disruption of their work, the hormonal levels immediately change. Likewise, if testosterone is not normal, then the ovaries need to be checked. Their function is the production of hormones with antiandrogenic properties (estrogen and others).

There is another type of signs. This is an idiopathic syndrome. The signs of this type of hirsutism are similar to the previous ones, but the causes have not been studied. But doctors believe that this particular type of disease is the most insidious. There are no primary noticeable symptoms: the cycle is not disrupted, there are no signals of virilization. This makes it difficult to detect in its early stages and ensure effective treatment.

Video: I am a woman and I shave - all about hirsutism

In medical practice, there is often a classification based on the clinical signs of the disease:

1. Dermatological (also idiopathic, less often hereditary);
2. Exogenous. Depends on medications, supplements, occasionally, poor diet or bad habits. A little less often, the cause of the disease can be a “starvation” diet;
3. Neuroendocrine is hirsutism that occurs against the background of deviations in the normal functioning of the ovaries and adrenal glands.

1. It is very difficult to combat such a disruption of the endocrine system, since the disease has been little studied and is rare. Naturally. The first thing patients do if they suspect excessive hair growth of this kind is to get tested by a doctor. Based on their results, it is determined whether it is indeed hirsutism and virilization, or simply hypertrichosis.
2. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the possible causes of the disease and its type are determined. Based on the information received, the specialist can prescribe effective treatment. At its core, this disease is not independent, but consequential, i.e., arising against the background of some other disease. Therefore, it is very important to immediately consult a doctor if you experience any of the described symptoms.
3. When female neuroendocrine hirsutism is detected, the adrenal glands and ovaries are examined first. First, they begin to treat the causes of hormone failure. And then the body itself is rebuilt and the growth of hair follicles is normalized. If the reason for increased hair growth lies in taking hormonal pills, then stopping their use is not enough.
4. These drugs have an effect on the body similar to drug intoxication. They affect certain systems in the body of women even after complete withdrawal. For example, birth control pills remain effective even after discontinuation for 3 to 6 months.
5. Here, treatment involves special antiandrogenic drugs for women against hirsutism. They can only be taken after consulting a doctor, as reviews claim that they have extremely serious consequences when taken. In particular, this is the development of female genital organs in male embryos, uncontrolled desire, swelling and soreness in the mammary glands and labia.
6. If you are faced with the problem of idiopathic hirsutism, then you can try to treat it with homeopathy - it is safest for women. For example, this is a regular intake of mint decoctions. It not only calms the nervous system and normalizes blood pressure, but also helps reduce testosterone.
7. Take two tablespoons of herb for a glass of boiling water. The plant is filled with water and then infused for 40 minutes. You need to drink the product three times a day, 1/3 of the container, for three months. Often folk methods also include the use of poisonous plants, such as datura. Recipes with such dangerous ingredients are always infused with vodka.
8. To cure hirsutism with Datura, you need to pour 100 grams of fresh grass with 0.5 vodka, moonshine or alcohol. Infuse for two weeks in a dark container and a cool room. The tincture should be shaken every day. The resulting product should be applied to acne and areas with increased hairiness.
9. Although this plant is very effective, Datura should not be used for eye diseases. Among the analogues are horse chestnut, young walnut and even a mixture of sugar and water.
10. Homeopathy will not help to significantly reduce excess hair growth, but it contributes to the overall health of the body. In addition, please note that the effect cannot be achieved with herbal remedies earlier than 3 months. If you need to reduce body hair growth faster, then it is better to choose other methods.

The problem of hirsutism is relevant both for specialized gynecologists and endocrinologists, and for general practitioners. Patients come to see their family doctor with complaints about increased body hair and the question of how to deal with it. Specialists begin to look for a problem in the state of a woman’s hormonal background, but it often happens that the problem is not detected, hormone levels are within normal limits and pathology is not detected, but the complaints persist. How in the 21st century, in a world where women see perfectly smooth bodies on TV screens and magazine pages, can one distinguish the far-fetched problem of hirsutism from normal hair? To do this we need to go back to the roots of the problem.

Hirsutism and hypertrichosis - features of increased hair growth

Hypertrichosis is commonly called general excess hair growth in all parts of the body, which does not depend on the hormonal state of the body. The causes of hypertrichosis can be both congenital, genetically determined characteristics of the body, and the influence of other factors, for example, the presence of concomitant diseases.

Hirsutism is excess hair growth in women in hormone-dependent areas. Excessive hair appears not only in places familiar to women - in the groin, armpits, arms, legs, but also in places where hair is typical for men: on the face, chest, back, around the nipples, on the ears.

The main causes of hirsutism

The main and most common cause of the development of hirsutism is the high concentration of male hormones androgens in a woman’s body. There may be several reasons for their excess quantity:

• pathology of the ovaries themselves (polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian hyperthecosis, etc.);
• pathology of other endocrine organs (congenital dysfunction of the adrenal cortex, Itsenko-Cushing syndrome, hypothyroidism, etc.);
• oncological endocrine pathology (prolactinoma, ovarian and adrenal tumors, etc.);
• taking medications (anabolic steroids).

Under the influence of the male sex hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, in those areas where hair follicles normally produce the growth of thin and light vellus hair in women, the initiation of terminal hair growth - dark, long and coarse - occurs. The conversion of testosterone into the more powerful hormone dihydrotestosterone is catalyzed by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which is located primarily in the skin.

Hormonally independent idiopathic hirsutism

The diagnosis of idiopathic hirsutism is established if the laboratory confirms the normal concentration of androgens in a woman’s body, but hair growth remains male-patterned. The cause of idiopathic hirsutism may be an isolated increase in the activity of 5-alpha reductase or an increase in the number of androgen receptors in the female body. But it is important to remember that excluding pathology of other organs and anamnestic data on a normal cycle may not be enough, since about 40% of women with hirsutism have regular cycles, in which, however, ovulation does not occur. To exclude ovarian pathology, additional research methods, such as folliculometry, are needed.

There is also genetic hirsutism - increased hair growth in certain ethnic groups. For example, among the peoples of the Caucasus, hirsutism is quite common and is a variant of the norm, while among Asian women, increased hair growth is extremely rare.

Assessment of the degree of increased hair growth

At the initial stage of diagnosis, the Ferriman-Galwey scale can be used to determine the degree of hair growth in women of the Slavic ethnic group. The intensity of hair growth is determined in nine androgen-dependent zones and is assessed in points from 0 to 4, after which the number of points is summed up and the hirsute number is determined.

The hirsute number is determined by the sum of points. The maximum number is 36 points.

• up to 7 points – normal hair growth;
• 8-12 points – borderline hair growth;
• more than 12 points – hirsutism.

When determining the degree of hair growth using the Ferryman-Galwey scale, it is necessary to continue further examination of the patient using laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods, since the hirsut number allows only an approximate determination of the degree of hirsutism.

About methods to eliminate the problem of increased hair growth