Content
Hirsutism is a condition that can happen in women and is characterized by the presence of hair in regions on the body that normally do not have hair, such as face, chest, belly and the inner thigh, for example, and can be identified during puberty or in menopause.
This situation is usually related to hormonal changes, with higher testosterone production or decreased estrogen production, which results in an increase in the amount of hair in the body.
As the presence of excess hair can be uncomfortable for some women, it is important that you follow the treatment indicated by the gynecologist, dermatologist or endocrinologist, who may indicate the use of medications to regulate hormone levels and aesthetic procedures to remove excess hair.
Main symptoms of hirsutism
The signs and symptoms indicative of hirsutism can appear during puberty or menopause, and can be noticed on the face, belly, around the breasts, inner thighs and back. Symptoms usually vary with circulating hormone levels, especially testosterone levels. The higher the circulating testosterone level, the lower the estrogen level, the more masculine characteristics a woman can develop.
In general, the signs and symptoms of hirsutism are:
- Emergence of hair on the side of the face, fluff, back, buttocks, lower abdomen, around the breasts and inner thigh;
- Thick and often joined eyebrows;
- Increased acne;
- Dandruff and hair loss;
- Clitoral enlargement;
- Increased muscle mass or weight;
- Changing the tone of voice;
- Irregular menstruation;
- Infertility.
In the presence of these signs and symptoms, it is interesting for the woman to consult the gynecologist, dermatologist or endocrinologist so that a general assessment can be made, the diagnosis is concluded and treatment is started.
The initial diagnosis is made by the doctor by assessing the amount of hair present in the woman's regions that normally do not have hair, the region being classified from 1 to 4 according to the amount of hair. Thus, the score between 0 and 8 is considered normal, between 8 and 15 is classified as moderate hirsutism and above that it is indicated that the person has severe hirsutism.
In addition, to complement the diagnosis, the doctor can also observe the presence of male characteristics, in addition to requesting the performance of transvaginal ultrasound and laboratory tests, such as testosterone, prolactin, TSH and FSH circulating in the blood, and thus possible to identify the cause related to hirsutism.
Main causes
Hirsutism is often associated with an imbalance between circulating testosterone levels, which can happen due to changes in the adrenal glands or in the ovaries. In addition, it is common for women with polycystic ovary syndrome to develop hirsutism, since this situation is characterized by hormonal changes. Learn more about polycystic ovary syndrome.
Other conditions that can favor the development of hirsutism are changes in the thyroid, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing's syndrome and use of some medications, such as minoxidil, phenothiazines and danazol, for example. In addition, women who have a family history of hirsutism, are obese or use anabolic supplements to gain muscle mass, for example, have a higher risk of developing hirsutism.
How the treatment is done
Hirsutism treatment aims to regulate hormone levels, which helps to decrease the amount of hair in the body. It is also important that tests are done to identify the cause of hirsutism, because this situation is often solved when the cause is treated.
Thus, in addition to treating the underlying disease, the doctor may recommend the use of hormonal contraceptives, which promote a decrease in testosterone production, helping to regulate the levels of circulating hormones in the blood. In some cases, the doctor may recommend using Spironolactone, Cyproterone Acetate or Finasteride in conjunction with the cause of hirsutism.
In addition to the remedies, aesthetic procedures to eliminate excess hair may also be recommended, and the use of depilatory creams or more definitive procedures that reduce the amount of hair throughout the sessions, such as electrolysis, treatment with pulsed light or laser hair removal. It is important that the method of hair removal is chosen according to the dermatologist's guidance so that skin lesions and inflammations can be prevented.
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team
Bibliography>
- BRAZILIAN SOCIETY OF DERMATOLOGY. Hirsutism. Available in: . Accessed on 01 Sep 2020
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