Excess Hair Growth and Hirsutism

Excessive hair growth can be a condition that affects both men and women, of any age. It can appear anywhere on the body or face, as small isolated patches cover a larger area. 

Hair grows over our entire bodies as a protective cover, but it is often very fine and barely noticeable. Excess hair growth usually appears as thicker and more pronounced on areas of the body or face that are not considered the norm and unwanted.

People with darker complexion are often affected by unwanted hair growth, genetics, and certain medical conditions causing excessive hair growth. The most common reason for a person developing excess hair is hormonal changes in the body.

This concern is seen as a person gets older, with the Menopause being one example of this in women. For women, if excess hair on the face and body is significantly thicker and darker, then it could be down to a condition called Hirsutism. 

If affected by Hirsutism, the hair will appear to be of similar growth usually expected in a male. The hair growth may also follow the same pattern as that of a man, seeing affected areas: the face, neck, back, chest, stomach, buttocks or thighs.

Even slight Hirsutism may consider by people as loss of femininity. This condition results from an increase in Androgen hormones, a common effect from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and can be determined through a blood test.

However, certain medications, using Anabolic steroids and other hormonal conditions (such as Cushing’s Syndrome or Acromegaly) can be other possible causes. In about 40% of people with Hirsutism, all blood hormonal workout levels are normal, which can be related to a local increase in androgen sensitivity in the skin.

Such a kind of situation requires a urinary test which at the moment is available only in research centres.