What is Hisutism. Hirsutism is a condition that leads to an overgrowth of terminal hairs on the body, which is coarser and darker than normal body hair. While the condition affects both men and women, it is never a serious and problematic issue for men per se considering the fact that society expects men to have some considerable amount of body hair.
On the flip side of the coin though, hirsutism can be a serious source of stress for women, especially in the western world where women are expected to be nothing less than perfect. Body hair on the chest, groin, and face is considered unsightly in women, no wonder they would do all they can to get rid of the unsightly hairs.
It is important to understand what happens during normal hair growth and multiplication for you to be able to understand exactly what hirsutism is. Typically, men and women have circa the same amount of hair on the bodies. However, hair o the chest and face tends to be finer in women than in their male counterparts, except for the head and eye brows. In response to androgen (a male hormone manufactured by the body), some women will grow more terminal hair, particularly when they start their teenage years.
Note that terminal hair growth on the face of women is expected as they progress with their aging process, especially when they are about to reach menopause. However, the condition can come about much sooner and can be a lot more extensive in some ladies long before they attain their menopause stage.
Causes of Hirsutism. The causes of this condition are wide and varied. The use of birth control pills and other drugs such as prednisone can lead to the condition. Ladies suffering from polycystic ovarian disease are also more vulnerable to hirsutism, and so are those using anabolic steroids. The risks for the condition are also higher in women who have escalated male hormones level. Other conditions that are related to hirsutism include congenital adrenal hyperplasia or Cushing syndrome which leads to an overproduction of androgens and cortisol, which may ultimately lead to terminal hair growth. Genetic predisposition and racial predisposition are also common causes of hirsutism.
Hirsutism treatment. When trying to determine the right treatment for the condition, doctors tend to evaluate the hormonal levels in the body. However, if it is a common racial attribute, or if one is genetically predisposed to it, medical investigation may not be necessary. There are several ways in which the condition is treated. If the underlying cause is a hormonal imbalance, then trying to strike a perfect balance in the hormones with the use of medication can help resolve the problem. There are both oral medications and topical applications that can be used on the condition.
There are people who would prefer not to rely on medication to treat hirsutism, and will resort to tweezing, waxing, and shaving in an effort to get rid of the excessive hair. Permanent hair removal techniques such as laser hair removal are also practical ways of treating hirsutism.