Most hair disorders involve hair loss, with the exception of hirsutism, which is a disorder affecting nearly eight percent of all women. Hirsutism is the unusual male pattern growth of hair on women and is usually accompanied by a host of other symptoms. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the condition can be treated successfully with medication and hair removal systems.
Cause
While all women have some levels of the male hormone called androgen, women who have an excessive amount may grow hair in places that only men typically have hair, such as the face,chest and back. According to the Mayo Clinic website, higher-than-average androgen levels can be caused by a myriad of medical conditions ranging from tumors and congenital disorders to a reaction to medication. Cushing's syndrome, which develops when adrenal glands become dysfunctional, disrupts hormonal production and can lead to the unusual hair growth. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is another condition that causes the unwanted hair growth.
Symptoms
Excessive hair growth typically happens on the face, chest and back of women with hirsutism. The hair usually is coarse and dark. Accompanying symptoms vary and can include a deepening of the voice and an increase in muscle mass. Other symptoms common in women with the condition include an enlarged clitoris, smaller breasts, acne, balding on top of the head and irregular menstruation cycles.
Considerations
Unusual hair growth usually is not medically harmful, although the accompanying symptoms may require treatment. According to the National Institutes of Health, most women find the hair growth cosmetically unattractive however and consider ways to remove the hair. Hirsutism is a long-term condition that often runs in families. Cultural mores often dictate how important hair removal is to a woman's self-image. Options for hair removal include shaving, chemicals, electrolysis or laser hair removal surgery.
Warning
While the hair growth in and of itself may not be harmful, some of the accompanying symptoms can lead to serious complications. According to the National Institutes of Health, you should seek medical attention if the hair growth begins suddenly and continues to grow rapidly. See a doctor when other male patterns emerge or if the hair growth coincides with the increase or decrease of medications you are taking.
Potential
Certain medications have the potential to reduce or eliminate unwanted hair growth in women. According to the Mayo Clinic, oral contraceptives that contain progestin and estrogen prevent androgen hormones from increasing. Anti-androgens block the hormones from attaching themselves to receptors in the body that lead to hair growth. A topical prescription cream designed to stop additional hair growth is called eflornithine and is used specifically on facial hair.
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