At some point in life, a woman may begin producing coarse, dark, long hair in place of normally light and fine-textured hair. Medical conditions, genetics, hormones and age are all factors that relate to coarse hair growth. If you notice a change in your hair type, seek medical attention; many treatment options are available to you.
Types
Two basic types of hair grow on the body: vellus hair and terminal hair. Physiologically, hair provides our body with insulation and sensory activity. Vellus hair is found throughout the entire region of the skin. This hair is very fine, light and short. Terminal hair is much darker, longer and coarse. Terminal hair has melanin, which gives it the darker color.
Puberty
When girls reach puberty, usually around 11 years old, they begin to produce terminal hair in the pubic region and in the armpits, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Boys also begin to produce hair in these areas, as well as on the face, back and chest. The male sex hormone androgen, which is grouped with testosterone, creates this terminal hair growth during puberty.
Warning
If you begin to develop terminal hair in places other than your genitals and armpits, you may have a condition known as hirsutism. Excess androgen production in the body will cause an excess in body hair growth in places such as the back, face, chest and upper thighs, according to MayoClinic.com. One of the most common medical conditions that may cause hirsutism is polycystic ovary syndrome.
Condition
Polycystic ovary syndrome can develop in the teenage and childbearing years. With this condition, women have high levels of the male hormone androgen, which causes a hormonal imbalance. The imbalance causes the ovaries to grow small cysts, and menstrual periods become irregular or nonexistent, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. PCOS can be hereditary; most women who develop this condition often have a mother or sister who has the same problem.
Solution
You have many options to get the proper treatment to regulate your hormones. Your health care provider might prescribe birth control pills to regulate your menstrual cycle. According to MedLine Plus, spironolactone and flutamide are active anti-androgen medications used to block the production of androgen. You can apply topical creams containing eflornithine to the problem areas to reduce the growth of hair. Laser hair removal and electrolysis are also effective methods for hair removal.
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