Excess Hair Growth In Women
If you consider yourself too hairy and feel your femininity suffers, this article is for you!
Being a hairy woman may or may not be desirable in the current climate, and it even has a medical name – Hypertrichosis. The latter is when a woman has more than average hair generally, all over the body, and it is most common among those of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean descent.
Another medical name for women who are hairy is Hirsuitism, which differs from hypertrichosis in that the excess hair growth occurs in a male pattern such as a beard / moustache / over the shoulders and/or across the back. Hirsuitism may be associated with a medical condition called PCOS (Poly-Cystic-Ovary-Syndrome) but not all cases of Hirsuitism are due to PCOS.
So why are some women hairy while others have little or no hair by comparison?
There are several reasons that may explain hairiness in women:
- Genetic factors – darker skin tones tend to have both thicker and darker hair than those with fairer complexions, which makes it more noticeable. This is especially evident in those with darker tinted skin tones as mentioned above.
- Hormonal Imbalances – can result in a high production of hormones called Androgens which are much higher in males than in women normally. For instance, in PCOS these hormones are higher than usual for a woman, and women of menopausal age have an increased tendency to produce more androgens. Some tumours can develop on the ovaries or adrenal glands that actually produce extra androgens, and Cushing Syndrome is a condition involving excess adrenal production of the steroid hormone Cortisol; any situation that results in an excess of hormones may lead to Hirsuitism in susceptible women.
- Some medications and supplements can cause excess hair growth in women. These include Anabolic Steroids (used by body builders, but also for chronically ill people and those recovering from long term bed-ridden illnesses). Other medications such as those used for Endometriosis and Fibrocystic Breast Disease (Danazol), Epilepsy (Phenytoin), High Blood Pressure (Minoxidil), and Hypoglycemia (Diazoxide) can influence excess hair growth in women, by means of their effects on the hormone system. The supplement DHEA can also cause hirsuitism because it can undergo conversion in the body to the male androgen Testosterone.
- In some cases, Hirsuitism can arise spontaneously without the cause ever being discovered by clinical testing.
Health conditions should always be addressed via the diet and lifestyle, as well as medical intervention where necessary. Nutritional Therapy can often help immensely in gaining control over hormonal imbalances.
There are several ways to address the excess hair growth, many of which have been covered elsewhere. I personally recommend Laser Hair Removal because it leads to permenant hair removal, and with the innovations of today, Laser Hair removal can be relatively painless and is more affordable in the long run.
When seeking a Laser Hair Removal Specialist, you should also check which machine they are using, because the latest one, called the Soprano XL is the most efficient, can treat a broad range of skin types and tones, and is pain-free.
If you would like further information about laser hair removal, please visit – Laser Hair Removal London
