Excessive growth of body hair is a problem that most women don't expect to face. When dark or heavy hair begins to grow on a woman's face, chest and certain other parts of her body, the condition may be more than just a nuisance and may be sign of a hormonal imbalance. Treating the problem involves taking medication and removing the unwanted hair.
Identification
Excessive hair growth in women is called hirsutism. Hirsutism often begins around puberty, although it can occur in a mild form at any age, according to the American College of Osteopathic Dermatology. Women who are of Mediterranean, South Asian or Middle Eastern descent are more likely to develop hirsutism and other women may be at an increased risk if there is a family history of the condition.
Causes
Hirsutism occurs when production of a male hormone called androgen increases. The problem can occur due to a specific disease or condition, such as tumors in the ovaries or adrenal glands, polycystic ovary syndrome or Cushing's syndrome. Excess hair growth can also occur if a woman's hair follicles are overly sensitive to androgen, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Medications that affect androgen levels, such as anabolic steroids, hormones or medication used to treat endometriosis, can also cause hirsutism.
Medical Treatment
Doctors prescribe several drugs to reduce androgen production, including finasteride and spironolactone. The American Academy of Family Physicians reports that anti-androgen drugs may decrease the amount of new hair grown, but are less likely to change the amount of existing hair. Birth control pills are also used to reduce androgen production and may be used alone or in conjunction with anti-androgen medication. Eflornithine, a prescription topical cream, may be helpful in slowing down the growth of hair on the chin and face.
Hair Removal
Hair removal methods include shaving, waxing, tweezing or bleaching dark hairs. While these methods are effective, they may irritate the skin and require constant maintenance to preserve your hair-free appearance. Electrolysis and laser therapy produce longer-lasting, and even permanent, results. Your doctor uses a needle and a mild electrical current to destroy hairs in the follicles if you opt for electrolysis treatment. Laser hair removal works by damaging hair follicles with a laser beam.
Considerations
Excessive hair growth may also occur if you develop hypertrichosis, a condition that causes heavier than normal hair growth in areas of the body in which people normally have body hair. The condition affects both men and women and is not caused by an androgen imbalance. A rare congenital form of hypertrichosis causes soft hair to completely cover the body, while other forms may increase hair all over the entire body or over just one part of the body due to the effects of medications or chemicals, according to Hypertrichosis.com. Hypertrichosis can also occur after an injury or may be a sign of a spinal defect or neural abnormality. Stopping the medication causing hair growth or treating an underlying condition can help relieve the problem. If treatment is not possible, excess hair is removed by the same methods used to remove excessive hair growth caused by hirsutism.
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