What Is Hirsutism? Understanding the Causes Around Male Patterned Hair Growth in Females
Do you feel embarrassed about coarse hairs on your upper lip or chin? Maybe you have a so-called “happy trail” of thick, dark hair leading downwards from your belly button. If you’ve ever shaved these areas, it probably now grows back thicker than ever… If these symptoms are familiar, the question you need to ask is, “What is hirsutism?”
A certain amount of hair growth in these areas is normal for many women — but hirsutism’s excessive hair growth pattern extends to areas where women usually have fine hair. It can impact your self-esteem and contribute to anxiety or depression. Embarrassment and fear of rejection can make you want to self-isolate and withdraw from social interactions.
Unwanted hair growth that challenges traditional ideas of femininity can be hard to deal with and hurt your confidence. Let’s look deeper at this medical condition and what you can do about it.
What Is Hirsutism?
Hirsutism, sometimes called male pattern hair growth, is defined by the excessive growth of coarse hair in areas usually associated with men. You may notice it on your face, chest, back, and inner thighs. This differs from hypertrichosis, which is excessive hair growth in women or men.
The medical condition is associated with higher-than-normal levels of androgens, male hormones that are usually present in lower levels in women. These androgens stimulate hair growth in areas sensitive to the hormone, interacting with hair follicles to change their growth cycle and create thicker, darker hair.
It’s been linked to a variety of factors, including hormonal imbalances, genetic predispositions, and some medical conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
What Causes Hirsutism?
The most common cause of hirsutism is your body producing too much androgen or your hair follicles becoming more sensitive to it. Androgens, such as testosterone and DHEA-S, stimulate the follicles to produce hair that is thicker and darker than usual.
Three factors can cause this:
Hormonal Factors
Some conditions, like PCOS, cause elevated androgen levels and can lead to excessive hair growth. They disrupt the normal, delicate balance of sex hormones in your body, influencing the growth cycles of your hair follicles.
Genetic Predispositions
You may be predisposed to hirsutism because of your family history. Certain ethnic backgrounds, such as Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian populations, are more likely to have genetic conditions linked to excessive hair growth.
Medical Conditions
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing’s syndrome, and other disorders that affect the adrenal glands can increase your androgen production. This creates hormonal imbalances that can manifest as male-pattern hair growth.
Diagnosing hirsutism accurately and developing an effective treatment depends upon understanding the underlying cause. Addressing the out-of-control hair growth problem is only possible when you know the health concerns that are associated with it.
If no underlying cause is found, you may be suffering from idiopathic hirsutism, which is simply excess hair growth.
How Does Hirsutism Impact Black Women?
In Black communities, we often place a lot of significance on our hair. It carries meaning and implications regarding our beauty standards and femininity. Developing excessive facial hair or unwanted body hair can make you feel self-conscious and hurt your self-esteem.
As a Black woman, you are also more likely to develop medical conditions associated with hirsutism.
How Do I Get Diagnosed With Hirsutism?
Hirsutism can have many different causes, so the first step is to get a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional. You’ll need to have a physical examination and share your detailed medical history — your doctor will need to understand things like your family history, any medications you may be taking, and your menstrual cycle patterns.
Your doctor will also need to order blood tests. They’ll want to measure your hormone levels, including testosterone and estrogen, to identify the root cause. They may also ask for imaging studies, such as an ultrasound, to examine your ovaries or adrenal glands for any abnormalities so they can rule out conditions like adrenal disorders or polycystic ovarian syndrome, a common cause of hirsutism.
What Treatment Options Are Available for Male Pattern Hair Growth?
The treatments that will help most for your hirsutism will depend upon the cause, symptom severity, and your personal preferences.
Some of your options include:
Lifestyle Modifications
Some women experience symptom relief through weight loss. For this reason, your doctor may recommend you use diet and exercise to help reduce your androgen levels and prevent weight gain.
Medications
Sometimes, hormonal therapies and non-hormonal therapies like spironolactone can help manage excessive hair growth. Your doctor may suggest birth control pills or anti-androgen medications like spironolactone for symptom relief or can prescribe a topical cream like eflornithine to help slow hair growth. If you have dermatology issues that you must also consider, consult a dermatologist before starting treatment.
For an over-the-counter solution, try concealing the hair by bleaching its color with skin-safe hair coloring products or using chemical depilatories to remove it.
Cosmetic Approaches
Waxing, shaving, laser hair removal, or electrolysis can temporarily or permanently reduce your unwanted hair growth. These strategies are often used with medical treatments to manage symptoms more effectively.
What Vitamins or Supplements Help With Hirsutism Symptoms?
When you’re looking for more natural solutions to add to your health routine, you have more options. More research is needed, but one study suggests you may find relief through drinking spearmint herbal tea.
Adding vitamins or supplements to your treatment plan may help relieve some symptoms, with your doctor's guidance.
Zinc
According to one study, women with PCOS who took zinc supplements daily noticed overall support for their hirsutism symptoms after eight weeks.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
A 2013 study showed omega 3s may help support healthy testosterone levels, making it a worthwhile supplement to consider as part of your treatment plan.
Peony and Licorice
Working together, these herbs showed promise in their ability to support healthy pituitary hormones and help women with PCOS in clinical trials.
Living With Hirsutism
If you’re struggling with the symptoms of hirsutism and plucking a new, thick batch of coarse hairs out of your chin daily, there’s hope. Reaching out to a healthcare professional is the first step in identifying the cause of your excessive hair growth and developing a treatment plan.
Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms and improve your self-esteem. Whatever combination you use of oral contraceptives, high-quality supplements, or lifestyle changes, you can feel more secure in your public interactions and relationships.
Sources: