Every woman strives to be beautiful and attractive. Sometimes health problems get in the way of a desired goal. Enhanced hair growth on the chin, in the chest and upper lip, and also on the back is inherent only to men. If for them it is considered the norm, then for the fair sex - a serious deviation.
Hirsutism - what is it?
Hirsutism is a disease characterized by male-type body hair and body type. It is not an individual pathology. This is a symptom of disorders in the body or a genetic feature.
Hirsutism is accompanied by the growth of a beard and mustache, excess hair on the arms and legs. In most cases, its development is due to the high concentration in the blood of male hormones - androgens. Frequent companions of the pathological process are infertility, failure of the female cycle, overweight. Sometimes it is accompanied by severe symptoms of defemination.
The main causes of the violation
Pathologies, which are characterized by enhanced hair growth on various parts of the body, are not so many. Most of them are dangerous and even threatening to health. This is evidenced by numerous medical reviews. Treatment of hirsutism in women should not be reduced solely to the removal of excess vegetation. First of all, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination and find out the cause of the violation.
A hormonal disorder in hirsutism is sometimes caused by the use of oral contraceptives. Many women prescribe a dosage on their own and choose a drug. As a result, they have serious health problems.
Male-type hair growth can also be triggered by factors such as:
- Ovarian diseases (polycystic, benign or malignant tumors).
- Diabetes.
- Menopause.
- Pathologies of the adrenal glands (tumors, Cushing's syndrome, Addison's disease).
- Obesity.
- Thyroid dysfunction.
- Hereditary predisposition.
Another cause of the disease is the uncontrolled intake of certain medications. First of all, we are talking about corticosteroids ("Cortisol", "Hydrocortisone").
The first manifestations of the disease
The main symptom of hirsutism is considered to be the appearance of hard hair on the body. They may occupy part of the chin, chest, abdomen or hips. The disease can manifest itself at absolutely any age, including during puberty. It is characteristic exclusively for the fair sex.
Of particular note is the congenital form of this disease. Just look at the photo of hirsutism in women of Caucasian nationality to understand the seriousness of the pathology. Their occurrence is not due to health problems. When male-type hair growth develops without a hereditary predisposition, it is necessary to consult a doctor to determine the cause of the violation.
Forms of the disease
In medical practice, it is customary to classify a pathological process into several forms, each of which has characteristic features.
- Constitutional. An increase in body hair in this case is associated with physiological changes and hereditary traits. A standard blood test may not show an increase in androgen levels. For women, this condition is a natural behavior of the body.
- Idiopathic. This form of the disease indicates the inability to accurately determine the cause of its development. At the same time, a high level of free testosterone is found in the blood serum.
- Exogenous. The pathological process is a consequence of the introduction of androgens into the body. This measure often has to be resorted to for the treatment of certain ailments.
Reviews on the treatment of hirsutism in women indicate that determining its form plays an important role. Otherwise, therapy does not bring the desired effect.
Diagnostic Methods
If the initial symptoms of the disorder appear, consult an endocrinologist. First, a specialist will listen to complaints and conduct a physical examination. Most cases of male-enhanced hair growth are associated with endocrine disorders. This may be diabetes, obesity or other causes of metabolic disorders. Otherwise, additional consultation with a gynecologist will be required.
What tests to take with hirsutism in women? Diagnosis of the disease includes a blood test to determine the level of testosterone, gonadotropin, cortisol, androstenedione. An increase in some indicators usually indicates problems with the ovaries. Be sure to take an analysis of the concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS), which is synthesized in the adrenal cortex.
After receiving a complete picture of the pathological process, the doctor may prescribe a competent treatment for hirsutism. What is this ailment? How is it transmitted? Why arises? The specialist also gives answers to consultations to these questions. In modern medicine, several approaches to treatment are used. Each of them has certain indications. More details about the methods of therapeutic effect on the problem will be described below.
Drug use
After identifying the cause of hirsutism, appropriate medications are prescribed to eliminate it. Therapy may include one of the following options:
- Taking combined contraceptives that suppress the secretion of male sex hormones ("Diane-35", "Jeanine"). These products contain a minimal concentration of estrogen.
- Use of "Dexamethasone" or "Prednisolone." These medications reduce the production of androgens by the adrenal glands.
- The use of "Spironolactone." This drug blocks androgen receptors and simultaneously inhibits their synthesis. The first results of treatment can be observed a few days after the start of taking the pills.
Treatment of hirsutism in women with drugs with hormonal components can last from 3 months to one year. In this case, it is necessary to periodically visit a doctor, and if necessary, adjust the treatment regimen. Combined oral contraceptives are not prescribed for women after 35 years of age, with liver failure and hypertension. Their reception is undesirable if the lady is planning a pregnancy in the near future.
An independent choice of hirsutism tablets in women can provoke the development of complications. Without preliminary diagnosis and dosage determination, hormones have a negative effect on the endocrine glands and some internal organs. As a result, the patient has problems with the menstrual cycle, multiple cysts form in the ovaries.
Tumor removal
If the cause of the disease is ovarian or adrenal cancer, surgery is indicated. In the case of hirsutism, neoplasm cells begin to produce androgens in large quantities. Therefore, only with the help of the operation can the patient be cured. For large tumor sizes, resection of the entire organ is recommended. After removal, maintenance hormone therapy is prescribed, which sometimes has to be followed throughout life.
Beauty treatments
What treatment is still possible with a diagnosis of hirsutism in women? The reviews of doctors indicate that the use of medicines can only eliminate the cause of the disease. New hair gradually stops growing. Various secrets of cosmetology help to cope with existing ones. To get rid of excess vegetation, clarification procedures, wax bioepilation and even chemical exposure are used. Each of these methods has its own characteristics.
Chemical depilation helps to cope only with mild symptoms of the disease. In the fight against thick and coarse hair, she is usually powerless. Lightening and bio-epilation are very traumatic options. Hair removal in this way is not recommended for owners of sensitive skin.
Electro or photo epilation deserve special attention. To date, these procedures are considered the most effective in the fight against excessive vegetation after the treatment of hirsutism in women. Photo manipulations often catch my eye in beauty salons. During the procedures, a direct effect on the hair bulb occurs in order to stop its further activity. It is better to choose a specific option for hair removal with the help of a specialist. In this case, it is important to consider possible contraindications and your own financial capabilities.
Help traditional medicine
Is an independent home treatment for hirsutism in women possible? Reviews of doctors on this issue are ambiguous. However, most of them are inclined to believe on acceptable methods of influencing the problem. After the diagnosis and doctor's recommendations, you can take medications at home, but only in strict accordance with the prescribed scheme.
As for the help of folk remedies, their use should be aimed at lightening or removing hair. Through the prescriptions of doctors to deal with the causes of their appearance is not possible.
At home, you can use dope tincture. An oily agent is recommended to wipe the affected skin once a day. Before the procedure, it is better to do depilation. Datura is a poisonous plant. Therefore, any recipes with its use should be used with caution.
Also well established tincture based on walnut partitions. Its regular use allows you to reduce hair growth and soften them a little. For cooking, you will need to pour raw materials from 30 nuts to 100 ml of alcohol, insist for 2-3 weeks. After tincture, it is necessary to use daily for cosmetic purposes.
Reviews of doctors and patients
Almost all doctors agree that hirsutism should be treated immediately after the first signs. After passing the diagnosis and receiving doctor's prescriptions, one can hope for a favorable prognosis. However, the visible effect of the therapy becomes noticeable only after 6 months.
If you neglect the recommendations of a doctor, practice exclusively treatment with folk remedies, hirsutism in women will progress. In addition to problems with the appearance, malfunctions in the work of internal organs may appear. According to doctors, the most common complication is menstrual irregularity. As a result, infertility occurs.
Experts are sure that the diet with hirsutism in women plays an important role. All recommendations and appointments are given individually. Usually they are aimed at combating excess weight, the exclusion of junk food. Minor adjustments may concern the diet if a woman has a history of other diseases.
Representatives of the fair sex believe that the greatest effect in the fight against hirsutism can be achieved by combining drug therapy and salon procedures. After completing the course, it is equally important to engage in the prevention of hormonal disorders. In this matter, consultations of a gynecologist and endocrinologist can not do.