Hirsutism: Tips for Body Hair Removal, PCOS Management, and More

Hirsutism is a condition that affects women, causing the growth of male pattern hair. Hair grows dark and coarse in places like the chest, face, and back. It can vary in severity and impact on self-esteem and mental health. Some women may find hair growth tolerable and unbothersome, while others may find it difficult to cope with the condition and may experience relationship insecurity issues and depression as a result. There are many ways in which women can manage the symptoms of hirsutism naturally to help them live with the condition in a natural and safe way.

What is hirsutism?

Hirsutism is excessive hair growth where it should not be. The condition affects women and results in dark, thick, or stiff hair. It grows in places where women usually do not have noticeable hair, such as the upper lip, chin and jaw, chest, abdomen, arms, back and sideburns. It can also result in acne and hair loss on the top of the head. Hirsutism often causes women to feel uncomfortable, ashamed, anxious about physical contact or skin exposure, self-conscious and unsure of their femininity.

Hirsutism is most often caused by an increase in male hormones called androgens, such as testosterone. Additional androgens in the body can result in male pattern hair growth and other signs and symptoms of the condition. However, it can also be a trait common among women in a particular family or caused by another medical condition.

Fortunately, hirsutism has few health side effects other than emotional impact. Mild hirsutism may even go unnoticed in some women. However, if it is caused or associated with another condition, you may have health problems and complications from these conditions. To best understand the cause and potential impact of your hair growth, you should see a healthcare professional for blood tests and an official diagnosis.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of hirsutism affect only women. Signs and symptoms include:

• Dark, coarse hair on the face, chest, back, abdomen, arms, thighs, or other areas where women don’t usually grow hair
• Acne on the face or body
• Hair loss on the head
• The voice becomes deeper.
• Breasts are getting smaller and smaller
• Developing more muscle mass
• Clitoral growth
• Elevated androgen levels (this affects about half of all women with hirsutism)

Causes and risk factors

At its core, hirsutism is caused by too many certain male hormones in the body. These hormones, called androgens, are produced in hair follicles or sent from the ovaries or adrenal glands. Supplemental androgens can be caused by a number of conditions. This means that the broader causes of hirsutism include:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): This is one of the leading causes of hirsutism. It causes 3 out of every 4 cases of hirsutism. PCOS causes hormonal imbalances that result in hair growth where it shouldn’t otherwise be, and hair loss at the front of the head (receding hairline). The condition can run in families and is long-term (chronic). In addition to irregular periods, PCOS has been linked to other health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, trouble conceiving, high cholesterol, and possibly even heart disease.
• Idiopathic hirsutism: It is hirsutism for which there is no known cause. It is the second leading cause of hirsutism. It is also usually chronic. Some believe that it is a mild version of PCOS. Most people with idiopathic hirsutism have normal periods, and their only symptom is a slow increase in the growth of coarse, dark hair where it shouldn’t be.
• Cushing’s syndrome: This condition is due to too much exposure to cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that your body produces. High cortisol levels can also come from medications, such as prednisone, when taken for long periods of time.
• Congenital hyperplasia of the adrenal gland: When the adrenal glands produce abnormal amounts of steroid hormones, such as androgens and cortisol, this condition can occur. It is inherited and can lead to hirsutism.
• When the thyroid gland is not working properly, leading to hypo- or hyperthyroidism, an imbalance of hormones can cause hirsutism. Women with symptoms of hirsutism may undergo thyroid tests to determine if hair growth may be due to thyroid dysfunction.
• Drugs: Many medications can cause new or different hair growth patterns. When talking to your doctor about hair growth, he or she will need to know all the medications and supplements you are using. This can help determine if symptoms are due to medication rather than an underlying hormonal imbalance.
• Tumors: Very rarely, a tumor in the adrenal glands or ovaries can cause hirsutism. These tumors can produce androgens, causing hormone levels to rise and lead to hair growth.

Risk factors for hirsutism include:

• Family history of the condition
• Mediterranean, South Asian, or Middle Eastern ancestry
• Petiness
• Have a condition that may result in hirsutism, such as a thyroid problem or PCOS

Diagnosis and conventional treatment

Diagnosis of hirsutism includes a thorough medical history, physical examination, and blood tests. Depending on your risk factors, you may be tested for thyroid function or a variety of other conditions. If your hair growth and any other symptoms are sudden or dramatic, you can expect additional testing. However, if many women in your family have this trait, and yours has been slowly developing, it is possible that you may not even need blood tests for diagnosis.

Regardless of your family health history, it is important to see a healthcare professional for a diagnosis. Some of the conditions that can cause hirsutism can have serious side effects if not treated properly.

Conventional treatment options for hirsutism include:

• Local hair removal by shaving, bleaching, chemical hair dissolution and waxing
• Electrolysis or laser hair removal, both of which damage the hair follicles to reduce the amount of hair that can grow. Electrolysis can be painful and expensive and good for treating small areas. Laser hair removal can also be expensive, but it is faster and less painful. Both treatments can be very effective for a long time, but they require multiple treatments in advance. Electrolysis can have more lasting results despite the need for multiple sessions in advance.
• Prescription creams, such as eflornithine hydrochloride, which can slow or stop hair growth with continued use
• Weight loss, which can reduce symptoms and complications in some women – especially those with PCOS
• Medications, including:
  • Birth control pills to lower androgens and establish regular periods. They improve symptoms in the vast majority of women with hirsutism (60 percent to 100 percent)
  • Antiandrogens, which work to directly lower androgens in hair follicles

Women suffering from emotional health problems associated with hirsutism may also be offered therapy or medication, depending on how severe their psychological symptoms are.

People with other underlying conditions, such as PCOS, diabetes, and thyroid problems, may need additional treatments. Women who take medications that result in hirsutism as a side effect may need to change the dosage or medications with the guidance of their doctor.

As women enter their 30s and 40s, androgen levels in the body naturally decline and treatment for hirsutism may no longer be necessary. Hair removal and contraception are considered the best treatment options for hirsutism in conventional medical treatment.

Tips for natural management of hirsutism

1. Maintain a healthy weight

2. Fight against acne

• Keep your face clean (but not too clean). Wash your face twice a day, but no more. Use a clean, soft cloth (fresh every time) or your hands to gently scrub dirt and oil off your face. Wash with a gentle cleanser and slowly on areas already irritated by acne so as not to damage the skin and introduce the risk of infection.
• Use a moisturizer. Apply a non-comedogenic face lotion to the skin after washing. This will prevent the moisturizer from clogging your pores. Keeping your skin hydrated will prevent over-drying with topical acne medications. It can also help balance and soothe dry, oily, flaky, irritated or combination skin.
• Avoid face makeup. Do not wear face powder, blanket, blush, or face powder. If you use sunscreen on your face daily, look for one that is also non-comedogenic.
• Simplify hair care. Styling products for your hair, such as hairspray and pomades, can end up on your face. Cover your face if you use them, and wash your hands afterwards. Keep your hair clean, as natural hair oils and chemicals from shampoos and conditioners can touch your face and clog pores. If possible, keep your hair pulled back from your face.
• Do not touch your face. If you must, wash your hands first. Do not pick or poop pimples. This can make acne worse and cause permanent skin damage and infections.

Treat pimples that already exist only with natural remedies:

• Remove bacteria using pure apple cider vinegar as a tonic.
• Cleanse or treat acne with tea tree oil. Add a few drops of oil to a natural face wash, face mask or regular moisturizer. You can buy ready-made treatments for acne on the tea tree in many drugstores and natural products stores. Do not apply full-strength tea tree oil directly to the skin.
• Gentle exfoliation. Avoid irritation and scrubbing, but remove dead skin from pores using homemade scrubs. Easy options include brown sugar or sea salt combined with coconut oil or honey. Mix equal amounts of the granular ingredient with the smooth ingredient, gently rub into the skin and rinse well.

Hair growth associated with hirsutism can be distressing for women. If you’re bothered by extra hair growth, or feel self-conscious, unfeminine, anxious about interacting with others, depressed, or obsessed with excess hair, it’s important to see a healthcare professional. Not only can professionals help find treatments that will work well for your hair growth and lifestyle, but they can also make sure that you address any mental health issues that may have arisen as a result of your diagnosis.

Even if you’ve found other natural or conventional treatments that manage your other symptoms well, you may want to remove excess hair. Many treatments can take weeks or months to start working. Furthermore, some treatments are not perfectly or permanently effective, which means you can have hair growth even with the treatment.

Precautions

• Hirsutism can be caused by underlying conditions with serious health consequences. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or self-medicate hirsutism. A medical professional can help detect and direct treatment for the condition and any associated health problems.
• Some hair removal creams, bleaches, chemicals, and hair removal therapies (such as electrolysis and laser hair removal) can cause pain and irritation to the skin. Use them as directed and stop if irritation occurs.
• Talk to a healthcare professional if your symptoms change quickly or become severe. This can signal a serious health problem.