Hirsutism
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what is hirsutism ? |
Hirsutism can definitely be labeled a hair-raising problem in a woman. And those who suffer from it tend to produce elevated levels of male sex hormones called androgens from their ovaries and adrenal glands. This results in an excessive growth of dark, coarse body and facial hair.
The cause of hirsutism has been identified as being due to medications, which cause excessive hair growth like phenytoin, minoxidil, diazoxixde, cydosporine and hexachlorobenzone. Its cause can also be attributed to HRT, anabolic steroids, birth control pills, danazol and anorexia. Other causes are obesity, severe insulin resistance, tumors on the adrenal glands or ovaries and Cushing Syndrome.
The signs and symptoms which are indicative of hirsutism are hair growth on the abdomen, breasts and upper lip; irregular menstrual period, loss of feminine body shape and formation of masculine traits such as a deep voice, frontal balding, enlarged shoulders and muscles among others.
There is no specific medication for hirsutism though certain medicines may be used for suppression of the production and secretion of androgens in the body. These include: gluco corticoids, spironolactone and certain birth control pills. Other procedures include tumor and ovary removal.
It was discovered that acupuncture helped reduce both hair density and length while significantly reducing the levels of male sex hormones testosterone. Herbalists have recommended herbs such as Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga Racemose), Goats Rue (Galegae Officinalis Herba), Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum),and Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) to relieve the symptoms.
Hirsutism can also be treated through cosmetic measures such as electrolysis, waxing, bleaching and laser removal.
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