Hirsutism
Discreet and reliable treatment for hirsutism.
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Hirsutism causes excessive hair growth. It can be triggered by a medical condition, and you may be more likely to experience it after the menopause.
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Hirsutism is where women have thick, dark hair on the chest, face, neck, back, buttocks or thighs. It’s caused by an increase in hormones called androgens. The most common cause is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but in many cases there is no obvious cause.
Androgens are hormones connected to male traits but are present in both men and women. In women, androgens are converted into oestrogen - the ‘female hormone’.
During puberty, they stimulate the growth of pubic hair and also play a role in managing the function of organs like the kidneys and liver.
In adult women, they help to strengthen bones and play a key role in sexual desire and satisfaction.
Around 10% of women have more androgens than they need in their bodies, and this is what causes the thick hair growth associated with hirsutism.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Hirsutism can be caused by the presence of excess androgens, or by an increased sensitivity to them. There can be a range of reasons why you have excess androgens in your body or why you’re more sensitive to them.
For 70% of women with hirsutism, the cause is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS causes the ovaries to produce more androgens than the body needs and leads to the growth of thick, dark hair.
In some rare cases, hirsutism has been linked to more serious illnesses such as glucocorticoid resistance syndrome, hyperprolactinemia and Cushing's syndrome. In these cases hair growth happens suddenly and rapidly. Certain medications can also trigger hirsutism.
Although it can have a negative impact on self-confidence and mental health, the hair growth associated with hirsutism isn’t a problem in itself.
But it can be linked to other more serious conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, and for this reason it’s important to consult a clinician to find out what’s causing hirsutism.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Epidemiology, diagnosis and management of hirsutism: a consensus statement by the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society. Human Reproduction Update, 18(2), pp.146–170.
Randomized, double-blind clinical evaluation of the efficacy and safety of topical eflornithine HCl 13.9% cream in the treatment of women with facial hair. Int J Dermatol 2007;46:94-8.
Health-related quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a comparison with the general population using the polycystic ovary syndrome questionnaire (PCOSQ) and the short form-36 (SF-36). Gynecol Endocrinol 2006;22:80-6.
Laser and photoepilation for unwanted hair growth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev
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