QUESTION – Since puberty I am suffering from unwanted hair called “hirsutism”. Does hirsutism have any influence at women health in general? What are hirsutism main causes in women?
Hirsutism main causes in women – ANSWER from experts
Sometimes hirsutism can be just constitutional and could have no negative influence at women health. But sometimes hirsutism could be a symptom of serious hormonal diseases which could dramatic influence at women health and especially at reproductive health.
Hirsutism main causes in women can be classified in 4 groups:
Hirsutism main causes in women
- Hormonal causes,
- Tumor related,
- Drug related,
- Idiopathic/genetic/constitutional.
In normal healthy women androgens are normally secreted by the adrenals and the ovaries. During some hormonal diseases the production of androgens can be increased and it could develop different diseases with very typical symptoms. Here are hirsutism main causes (diseases which could trigger hirsutism in women):
- Polycystic ovarian disease
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Acromegaly
- Hyperprolactinemia
- Hypothyroidism
- Obesity
- Syndromes of excessive insulin resistance
- Hyperreactio luteinalis of pregnancy
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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 |
