How To Treat Hirsutism

Hirsutism is not a disease and it is rarely caused by a serious illness. Unfortunately in our society, excess hair growth in woman is considered abnormal and this can cause distress or embarrassment. At least 25% of normal middle-aged women have unwanted facial hair and many women do not realise the treatment options that are available.

In some cases, hirsutism may be as a result of an underlying medical disorder. This can easily be ruled out with a medical history and some simple blood tests. The treatment of hirsutism begins with a detailed description of the problem and ensuring that the patient does not lose their femininity. Then, direct intervention, if possible, is instituted for the underlying disorder.

In some cases, cosmetic measures may be sufficient. In others, the slow progress of systemic therapy may necessitate more immediate cosmetic treatment. If hirsutism persists (or the patient has idiopathic hirsutism), other cosmetic or systemic treatment may be necessary. The most effective strategy is to combine a systematic treatment that contains a slow onset of effectiveness, with mechanical hair removal (shaving, plucking, waxing and depilatory creams) or light-based hair removal (laser or pulsed light).

Hirsutism requires careful evaluation, systematic and rational approach to clinical treatment. Throughout this process, the patient must understand that even if the diagnostic tests can be a waste of time (and inconclusive), it is sometimes necessary to identify effective interventions. In other cases, it may be counseling and education all that is necessary. For the patient who wants treatment, a wide range of pharmaceutical strategies are available. 

As the current treatment system is not perfect it is very important for the patient to give informed consent after a complete explanation of the potential benefits and risks of a particular treatment and alternative approaches.  


Who should see a doctor?
Any woman experiencing difficulties in controlling body or facial hair by cosmetic methods should discuss this with a General Practitioner, as referral to an Endocrinologist (Specialist interested in hormone problems) may be beneficial. An Endocrinologist can provide reassurance, arrange appropriate investigations and discuss the options for treatment. 

What investigations may be needed? Blood tests can be done to check the levels of male and female hormone levels. These can usually be done at the time of visiting the outpatient clinic. Occasionally more sophisticated hormone tests are needed and these can be arranged as an outpatient at the Clinical Investigation Unit. An ultrasound of the ovaries and CT scan the adrenal glands may also be necessary in some patients.

What treatmentsare available?

1. Cosmetic

• Bleaching makes the excessive hair less obvious.
• Depilatory creams
• Shaving: contrary to popular opinion, shaving does not make the hair grow more thickly! Electric shavers are probably better than wet type, as there is less tendency to irritate or damage the skin.
• Waxing pulls hairs out from the roots and needs to be repeated regularly.
• Epilady removes the hair by a combined cut and pull.
• Electrolysis may result in permanent hair loss, but takes time as a small area is treated every few weeks. Electrolysis can be expensive and unskilled treatment may cause scarring.
• Laser therapy is useful for facial hair removal in certain skin types.

Know About Unwanted Hairs : Learn more about hirsute and look better

Unwanted hair appears all over the face, body, such as the legs, chest, back, armpits and feet, the normal amount of body hair for women varies. Most of the time, a woman only has fine hair, or peach fuzz, above the lips and on the chin, chest, abdomen, or back. If you have coarse, dark hairs in these areas, the condition is called hirsutism. Such hair growth is more typical of men.

Carefully take a closer look at the hair in question. To make a diagnosis of hirsutism, you need to know the type and location. There are two types of hair on your body. There is "terminal" hair that is relatively long, coarse and pigmented like those on the eyebrows, eyelashes, underarm and of course the scalp and pubic areas.    



The second type of hair is called "vellus" hair, is found elsewhere on the body. It is shorter, softer and lighter in color. Some people call this "peach fuzz" type of hair and may have it on their bellies, chins, legs and arms. In hirsutism, you have terminal type hair on the chin and/or upper lip, chest or back

In most cases, the exact cause is never identified. It tends to run in families. In general, hirsutism is a harmless condition. But many women find it bothersome, or even embarrassing. Excessive hair in woman can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, certain medications such as hormones or steroids; or even medical abnormalities, such as higher androgen (male hormone) levels or conditions of the endocrine system, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS) or problems with menstrual periods, trouble losing weight, and diabetes.

If these symptoms start suddenly, you may have a tumor that releases male hormones.

Males� hormones such as testosterone, which are also known as androgens and are produced by both males and females, can increase hair growth rate and also transform vellus hair to terminal hair. It�s not surprising, therefore, that in many women; hirsutism is due to elevated levels of androgens.

WHAT TO DO

You may not realize that there are many unwanted hair removal methods. Every option has different pros, cons, price points and may not be the best choice depending on where you want to remove hair.

Because the amount of body hair varies considerably from woman to woman and there is a wide range that is considered normal, someone may think she has excessive hair but not be considered hirsute. For example, heavy hair growth occurring on the calves or arms, areas where women normally have hair is not likely to be classified as hirsutism. Therefore, the initial step is evaluation via a physical exam to look at the pattern and type of hair growth.

If hirsute is confirmed, the next step is to determine underlying medical problems that may be causing the condition. This is accomplished by taking a complete medical history; administering a physical and if necessary pelvie exam and frequently ordering blood tests to determine hormone levels.

Slimming down can also help overweight women with hirsute because losing weight can decrease production of male hormones in fatty tissue. In addition weight loss can help women whose hirsutism is caused by PCOS. That condition puts women at increased risk for insulin problems, but shedding some extra pounds lowers the risk substantially. Plucking and waxing are other options but they may result in ingrown hairs. Lasers are the most permanent methods of hair removal- both methods damage individual hair follicles so the hairs do not grow back but they are little expensive and require multiple treatments.