Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest |

Problem of plenty

Subhashri has just got her admission to college. She is concerned because she feels that the hair growth on her face and her body are more than she notices in her friends. Her mother too is concerned. Is there a hormonal imbalance that is causing thi s? Should she seek medical advice?

Excessive hair growth (hirsutism) is usually a symptom that is disturbing to women. The normal amount of body hair varies widely among women. When coarse, dark hairs grow where women typically do not grow dark hair, such as the lip, chin, chest, abdomen or back, the condition is called hirsutism. Though often associated with infertility or irregular menstruation, it may occur with no menstrual or ovulatory disturbance.

Hirsutism must be differentiated from another medical term called virilisation. In virilisation, not only is there excess hair growth, there are other masculine features such as receding hairline, deepening of the voice, development of male-type pubic hair and enlargement of the clitoris. Invariably, virilisation in a female is caused by very high levels of male hormones such as testosterone, whereas hirsutism may be associated with milder levels of male hormone elevation or even normal levels.

What causes excessive hair growth in women?

Indian women tend to have more hair on their bodies as compared to other Asian women like the Japanese or the Chinese. This is called hypertrichosis. It is not due to abnormal hormones but occurs because of the genetic background. A woman who has pronounced hair growth might have a mother, an aunt or a grandmother who has excess body hair.

If the heavy hair growth is not due to the genetic make-up, hirsutism can be caused by several different factors and the best treatment to reverse the excess hair growth depends upon which of those factors are working in a specific case.

One of the most common causes of hirsutism is polycystic ovarian disease. In this case, the woman has irregular periods, is overweight and has a tendency to have excessive pimples. An imbalance between the hormones leads to an increased amount of testosterone in the blood stream. This leads to excess hair growth on the face and the body.

The adrenal gland can also produce excess male hormone in certain conditions and a blood test for a hormone called DHEAS may be done.

In rare cases, a male hormone producing tumour in the ovary or adrenal gland can cause a sudden appearance of hair growth. This will, however, be accompanied by other typical male features, such as deepening voice, acne, or increased muscle mass.

Surprisingly, pregnancy, in some women, may cause a spurt of unwanted hair growth over the face and body. This will usually return to normal within 6 months of delivering the child.

Investigations for hirsutism

The doctor treating excess growth of hair will ask questions about family history, irregularity of menstruation and if any medications are being taken which could have provoked the hair growth. Hormone tests may be advised specially to rule out excess levels of male hormones.

Treatment of excess hair growth

When excess hair growth is caused by polycystic ovarian disease, weight loss can go a long way in solving the problem. Effort must be taken to reduce the waist size because abdominal fat is a culprit in this condition.

Mechanical and cosmetic methods: Bleaching may be useful for minimal localised hair growth. Hair removal creams (depilatory creams), though useful, can result in chronic skin irritation and even worsening of the hair growth if used excessively or indiscriminately. Shaving does not lead to a worsening of the condition but may leave rough stubble. The use of plucking and/or waxing is discouraged because these techniques not only do not kill the hair follicles, but also can induce infection and further skin damage.

Laser hair removal is a promising technique for the treatment of the woman with excess facial hair. It is best done after a course of medication which will reduce the thickness of the facial hair. Remember that laser treatment is not permanent and may require several sittings.

Medications: There are many medications which can be used for treating excess hair growth. The medication prescribed will depend on the hormone levels, age of the person and the needs of the individual.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail