An increase in female facial hair can be related to many factors. Genetics play a key role in determining the amount of hair a person will have in the first place, but hormonal imbalances could cause an increase in female facial hair. Menopause, pregnancy and polycystic ovary syndrome can lead to increased facial hair on women. Contact your doctor if you notice an unusual amount of hair growth in places you normally don't grow hair.
Identification
Both boys and girls are born with fine, thin, short vellus hair throughout the body. With the onset of puberty, more testosterone is produced in the body, which changes the structure of the hair. It becomes thicker, coarser and longer, and is known as terminal hair. The vellus hair becomes terminal for both males and females in the pubic region, in the armpits and for men, on the face and chest. Men produce almost 10 times more testosterone than females, according to the Hormone Help Center.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
A common disorder related to increased female facial hair is polycystic ovary syndrome. This disorder may be hereditary; those who have the disorder often have a mother or sisters experiencing the same thing. According to the website Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, this condition occurs when there is an imbalance of sex hormones produced by the female. Results of the imbalance include cysts on the ovaries, acne, irregular menstrual cycle, increased terminal body hair and possibly infertility.
Hirsutism
Hirsutism is the development of an excessive amount of hair on the body where men normally grow hair, such as the face, back and chest, according to Mayo Clinic. This condition can be the result of the hormonal imbalance that occurs from PCOS, and it also can occur from any other condition that is causing an overproduction of androgen in a female's body.
Pregnancy and Menopause
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, other factors that can lead to increased facial hair growth include pregnancy and menopause. Androgen and the female hormone estrogen are both produced in the ovaries. Estrogen help the development of female sexual characteristics such as menstrual cycle regulation and breast development. In pregnancy, women have an overproduction of hormones that can increase female facial hair. In menopause, women have a decrease in estrogen production in the ovaries and an increase in androgen production, which can lead to the increase in facial hair.
Considerations
Treatment options are available in removing unwanted facial hair. Seek medical attention to find the options that are best for you. Depending on the cause, your doctor may recommend you meet with a hormone specialist or a dermatologist.
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