What Are The Causes Of Facial Hair In Women?

Women usually grow unwanted facial hair when the levels of male hormones, called androgens, are too high in her body or if her hair follicles are especially sensitive to androgens. Different medical conditions or factors can cause facial hair to grow including polycystic ovary syndrome, Cushing's syndrome, adrenal gland or ovarian tumors, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, heredity and certain medications.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) develop small cysts in the ovaries. Signs and symptoms of this condition include irregular or infrequent menstrual periods, acne, decreased breast size, increased body and facial hair, diabetes, infertility, and weight gain. PCOS is diagnosed by a pelvic examination, imaging studies and blood tests. This condition is treated by losing weight and taking medications.

Cushing's Syndrome

Cushing's syndrome occurs when the body overproduces cortisol or if you take high doses of corticosteroid medication over a long period. Cortisol is a hormone that plays a role in regulating blood pressure, metabolism and the body's stress response. Corticosteroids have the same effect as cortisol in the body. Examples of corticosteroids are prednisone, dexamethasone (Decadron) and methylprednisolone (Medrol).
Signs and symptoms of Cushing's syndrome include obesity above the waist, thin legs and arms, a round and red face, acne, stretch marks, thin skin, easily bruised skin, a fatty hump of tissue between the shoulders, irregular or absent menstrual cycles, and excessive hair growth on the face, neck, chest, abdomen and thighs. Cushing's syndrome is diagnosed by blood tests and imaging tests. Treatment depends on if this condition is caused by a cortisol overproduction or by long-term corticosteroid use.

Tumors

Adrenal gland or ovarian tumors can cause the over production of androgens. According to the National Institutes of Health, 40 to 50 percent of testosterone is produced by the adrenal glands and ovaries of healthy women. Signs and symptoms of adrenal gland cancer includes obesity, short height, round and flushed face, fatty pad of tissue between the shoulders, increased body and facial hair, acne, deepening voice, enlarged clitoris, weakness, muscle cramps, and increased thirst and urination.
Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer are often vague, but can include bloating, feeling full quickly, lower abdominal or pelvic pain, abnormal menstrual cycles, vaginal bleeding, weight gain or loss, excessive hair growth and increased urinary frequency or urgency. These types of cancers are diagnosed based on a physical examination, imaging studies and blood tests. Treatments include surgery to remove the tumors and chemotherapy.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is an inherited disorder that causes the adrenal glands to overproduce androgens. The National Institutes of Health reports that approximately one in 10,000 to 18,000 children are born with this condition. Girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia will have abnormal or absent menstrual periods, a deep voice, early appearance of pubic and armpit hair, excessive body and facial hair growth and genitals that appear more male than female with an enlarged clitoris that resembles a small penis and a fused labia that has the appearance of a scrotum.

Heredity

Unfortunately women of certain ethic backgrounds can grow dark hair on the face, chest and back, but the levels of male hormones are typically normal. These ethic backgrounds include Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and South Asian.

Medications

Medications such as anabolic steroids, cyclosporine, danazol, glucocorticoids, minoxidil, phenytoin and testosterone can cause a female to grow unwanted facial hair. Women can contact their physician to discuss alternative treatments if they are bothered by facial hair after they begin taking one of these medications.