However, mild cases may not be possible to diagnose until puberty. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, 0. The body hair appears rapidly in these cases and may include other symptoms, such as a mass in the stomach or pelvis.
Some medications can cause additional hair growth. A person who notices new hair growth after trying a new prescription drug should tell their doctor. Some drugs with links to hirsutism include:. Hyperprolactinemia is a condition that causes the body to produce high levels of the hormone prolactin.
Prolactin is primarily responsible for producing breast milk in breastfeeding people. People with this condition may lactate even if they are not nursing. Some people with hyperprolactinemia may experience infertility or not have their periods. The condition can also cause hirsutism. The thyroid produces hormones that help regulate metabolism and body temperature. The two common thyroid disorders are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
When the thyroid malfunctions, it may create an imbalance of hormones that causes excess body hair growth in rare cases. Sometimes hirsutism has no apparent cause, and doctors can find no clear evidence of an underlying disorder. When hirsutism has no clear reason, a doctor may refer to it as idiopathic hirsutism.
This is typically a diagnosis of exclusion when a doctor can eliminate all known, possible underlying causes. When the cause of hirsutism is unknown, it may be genetic. People of East Indian and Mediterranean origin who were assigned female at birth tend to have this type of hair growth.
It can be challenging to determine what counts as excessive body hair. It is typical for female people to have fine hair all over the body, including the face. Many may also notice thicker, darker hairs on the stomach, chin, and chest. To help classify what counts as hirsutism, researchers developed the Ferriman-Gallwey scale. This scale assigns a score based on how much hair growth a person has on various body areas. It is more likely to be a problem when hair is thick on many areas of the body.
A score greater than 7 is typically indicative of excessive hair growth or hirsutism. The procedure can be painful. This approach is another short-term option, and it can also irritate the skin.
Waxing can lead to ingrown hairs when regrowth occurs. Females with PCOS may also benefit from lifestyle changes to maintain a moderate weight. Some examples include eating a healthful diet, stopping smoking, and getting regular exercise. Doctors can also prescribe treatments to reduce chin hair in females.
For example, birth control pills can help balance hormone levels by reducing androgen production. For those unable to take these medications or with hair growth that persists, a doctor may prescribe stronger medications. These may include:. Doctors usually recommend sticking with a treatment for at least 6 months before trying a new one.
The chin hairs are sometimes a normal part of aging after menopause. However, they can also indicate an underlying condition causing hormonal imbalances. Anyone concerned about chin hair growth should talk to a doctor or dermatologist about potential treatment options.
Hirsutism is when hair grows in unusual areas of a woman's face and body, such as the face or back, or at an unusual density and thickness. It usually…. Unwanted hair growth on the body or face has a range of causes linked to hormones. Learn more about excessive or unwanted hair in women here. People have widely varying opinions on what's considered excessive. When high androgen levels cause hirsutism, other signs might develop over time, a process called virilization.
Signs of virilization might include:. If you think you have too much coarse hair on your face or body, talk with your doctor about treatment options. Excess facial or body hair is often a symptom of an underlying medical problem.
See your doctor for assessment if over a few months you experience severe or rapid hair growth on your face or body or signs of virilization. You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in hormone disorders endocrinologist or skin problems dermatologist. Hirsutism can be emotionally distressing. Some women feel self-conscious about having unwanted hair. Some develop depression. Also, although hirsutism doesn't cause physical complications, the underlying cause of a hormonal imbalance can.
Hirsutism tends to run in families and is more common in specific ethnic groups including women of Mediterranean, South Asian, and Middle Eastern descent; it is less pervasive in women of Asian and Native-American heritage.
For PCOS, the birth control pill along with anti-male hormone medication will reduce and, eventually prevent any new terminal hairs. For women who are overweight or obese, embarking on a weight-loss program may help since obesity can alter the way the body produces and processes hormones.
If you want to get rid of existing terminal hair, laser or electrolysis is typically needed. Plucking, pulling, or shaving can worsen hirsutism by irritating the skin. Questions or comments?
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