Experts at the Mayo Clinic say that up to 10 percent of women have excessive hair growth as a result of an imbalance of hormones. This condition affects appearance and is embarrassing but doesn't cause other physical issues. However, the hair growth may be caused by an underlying and potentially serious medical condition.
Definition
Hair growth in women that is excessive, coarse and dark is called hirsutism. The unwanted hair follows male pattern hair growth, appearing on the upper lip, chin, chest, abdomen or back.
Androgens and Hair Growth
There are two types of hair: vellus and terminal. Vellus hair doesn't respond to hormones, so it lacks color and appears short and fine. Terminal hairs respond to hormones, causing them to become long, coarse and dark. Male hormones called androgens are responsible for the growth of terminal hairs. Androgens can also convert vellus hairs to terminal hairs. When that happens, the hairs remain permanently terminal.
Causes
Hirsutism tends to run in families and is frequently caused by high levels of androgens. According to information from the Mayo Clinic, about half of all women with hirsutism have high androgen levels and the other half don't. Some diseases, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing's syndrome or a tumor of the ovary, can cause the ovaries to secrete too much male hormone. Certain medications, including one used to treat endometriosis called danazol, can result in excessive androgens. In many women, the cause may never be determined. Hirsutism that occurs when androgen levels are normal is called idiopathic hirsutism.
Symptoms
The primary symptom is coarse pigmented hair on the face, chest or back. Hirsutism may occur together with infertility and irregular menstrual periods, but these conditions aren't always present. Other symptoms of high androgen levels include acne, deepening of the voice, decreased breast size and increased muscle mass. If there's an underlying disease causing the hirsutism, symptoms and complications related to the condition may appear.
Treatment
Your physician may prescribe birth control pills or other medications to get the hormones back in balance, but once the vellus hairs convert to terminal hairs, lowering the hormone levels won't make them return to vellus again. The hairs can be temporarily removed by shaving, plucking, waxing or chemical treatments. Laser treatment and electrolysis permanently damage the hair follicles so the hair can't grow back, but these treatments can be expensive. Your choice is determined by the amount of hair growth (a few extra hairs on the chin versus widespread growth), cost and your sensitivity to harsh chemicals.
Considerations
Menopause can cause unwanted facial hair, but this isn't considered hirsutism. If the problem becomes bothersome during menopause, talk to your physician to be sure it's not being caused by another disorder. Some ethnic groups tend to have more hairs on their arms and legs, but this isn't due to hormones. It's called hypertrichosis rather than hirsutism.
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