What is hirsutism?

QUESTION

I was advices to use some hormones for libido but doctor mentioned that one of side effects could be hirsutism. What is hirsutism?

ANSWER from experts

Hirsutism is a medical term for excessive and increased hair growth in women – mainly in unexpected locations such as face, breasts, abdomen, etc. In most cases the main cause for hirsutism in women is androgens (men hormones) but sometimes the main reason for hirsutism could increased sensitivity to normal levels of hormones.

Normal women health include also normal hair grow on female body which is a part of the healthy women body development.

In most cases hirsutism in women is cosmetic and/or social problem.

Generally speaking “hirsutism” is a symptom rather than a disease and may be a sign of a more serious medical indication, especially if it develops well after puberty.

What is normal hair grow for women and what is hirsutism? What is considered normal for a woman and what is considered hirsute depends on factors such as culture and race. The extent of normal hair growth varies between individuals, families and races, being more extensive in the Mediterranean and some Asian subcontinent populations.

For modern young girls and women of all ages the excess hair growth on the face and body is considered abnormal and this can provoke stress and/or embarrassment. At least 25% of normal middle-aged women have unwanted facial hair.

In many cases hirsutism is inherited and may be present in other female family members and/or relatives. Usually these women have normal amounts of male hormone (testosterone). The problem is that the hairs are more sensitive to small amounts of male hormones and so grow more quickly and thicker. In general the increased hair growth is usually first noted in late teenage years and tends to gradually get more severe as the woman gets older.

In general women body produces very low level of male hormones but in some conditions (diseases) the level of male hormones is increased.

As it was already mentioned above, the main causes of hirsutism are:

• increased sensitivity of the skin (hair follicles) to a group of male hormones called “androgens” (testosterone and androstenedione) and/or
• increased production of androgens triggered by several hormonal diseases which affect 5-10% of all women.

You can check your normal hair grow by using Ferriman-Gallwey score.

Ferriman-Gallwey score (sum)	Suggestion	Recommendation
1 – 9	Idiopathic hirsutism	Medical examination is not recommended. Avoid sun and creams.
10 – 16	Transition period	Evaluate during 3-6 months. If the growth will be noted – visit your doctor.
17 – 40	Hirsutism (symptom of diseases)	It is strongly recommended to make hormonal tests and discover the main reason of hirsutism and treatment
41 – 44	Severe Hirsutism (tumors?)	Urgently visit your doctor. Some tumors could provoke severe hirsutism