While some women wish for faster hair growth, it's a nuisance for other women. The rate at which your hair grows not only affects your scalp but it can also affect how fast your hair grows on the rest of your body, such as your legs. Certain medications, medical conditions and heredity can all factor into how fast your hair grows. If hair growth is a concern for you, discuss it with your doctor.
History
The average person, man or woman, grows hair at approximately one-half inch per month, according to MedlinePlus. The life of the average hair shaft is about four and one-half years. Typically, you lose about 100 hairs each day from your scalp. Hair can fall out from brushing, combing, styling or tight hairstyles. Within six months of losing a single hair shaft, a new one grows back in its place. For some women, this rate may be faster.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions such as pregnancy, polycystic ovary syndrome, hirsutism and obesity can cause excess hair growth. During pregnancy, women may experience excess hair growth on their scalp, belly button, nipples or face. This is usually due to the woman's body excreting more hormones than usual, an increase of vitamins or a combination of both. Increased or excess hair growth is a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome due to elevated androgen hormones, according to the Mayo Clinic. Hirsutism causes excess hair growth in women on their face or all over their body. Doctors aren't sure of the exact cause of this medical condition, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Obesity can influence hair growth as the excess weight can disrupt your menstrual cycle, according to KidsHealth.
Medications
A wide array of medications can cause excess hair growth such as birth control pills, menopausal prescription drugs and certain vitamin supplements. Ortho-Tricyclen, an oral contraceptive, can cause increased hair growth, according to Drugs.com. The increased hormones in the pill can cause this side effect. Premarin, an estrogen hormonal supplement used to treat symptoms of menopause, can also cause increased hair growth. Omega-6 fatty acids help to stimulate hair and skin growth, maintain your reproductive system and bone health, as well as regulate metabolism, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Considerations
If you're experiencing fast, unwanted hair growth, ask your doctor if a different drug can be used to treat any medical conditions that you may have. If you're unaware of a possible medical condition that you may have, talk to your doctor. He may perform testing to see if a medical condition is present. If birth control is increasing the rate of which your hair grows, ask your doctor about switching to a different contraceptive.
Prevention/Solution
If you'd like to increase your hair growth, consume foods that are rich in omega-6 fatty acids. To avoid excess hair growth, exercise regularly to decrease your risks of becoming obese. Keep all scheduled doctor check-ups to prevent certain medical conditions and complications.
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