Hirsutism is abnormal hair growth in women which occurs on the face, chest, abdomen, back, thumbs and toes. Hirsutism is usually related to an increase in androgens, or male hormones. Hirsutism concerns the areas which are sensitive for male hormones.
In hirsutism there is a presence of excessive terminal hair in androgen-dependent areas of a woman's body. It has to be differentiated from hypertrichosis, which is usually familial in nature and associated with an endocrine dysfunction such as thyroid dysfunction, or with medications such as phenytoin or minoxidil.
Hirsutism or abnormal hair growth in females is a common disorder, which affects up to 10% of women between the age of 18 and 45 years. Approximately 95% of hirsute women are believed to suffer from persistent anovulation, also known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS or PCOD) or Stein-Leventhal syndrome. |
| Causes of Hirsutism or Abnormal Hair Growth |
Hormonal imbalance : The various causes of hormonal imbalance which result in hirsutism are as under :
Cushing's syndrome : Defined as excess secretion of steroids including androgens.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia : An enzyme deficiency leading to excess production of androgen.
Acromegaly : Excess growth hormone and insulin resistance.
Hyperprolactinemia : Increased prolactin levels.
Hypothyroidism : There is a decrease in the thyroid hormone levels.
Polycystic ovarian disease : This is an ovarian disease with multiple cysts and increased blood androgen levels.
Obesity.
Tumors : Tumors of the ovaries and the adrenal glands secrete excess hormones including androgen. |
| The various causes are as under : |
Ovarian tumors.
Arrhenoblastoma.
Gonadoblastomas.
Lipoid cell tumors.
Dysgerminoma.
Brenner's tumor.
Granulosa - theca cell tumors.
Adrenal tumors.
Adrenal adenoma.
Adrenal carcinoma.
Drugs : The various drugs which are responsible for hirsutism are :
Minoxidil.
Phenytoin.
Cyclosporine.
Diazoxide.
Androgens.
Oral contraceptives containing progesterone.
Penicillamine.
Heavy metals.
Acetazolamide.
Miscellaneous causes : The various other causes of hirsutism are :
Syndromes of excessive insulin resistance.
Functional adrenal hyperandrogenism.
Hypereactio luteinalis of pregnancy - transient increase in androgen levels during pregnancy.
The coma of pregnancy - transient androgen secreting tumor during pregnancy.
True hermaphroditism - condition where both male and female internal sex organs are present. |
| Signs & Symptoms of Hirsutism or Abnormal Hair Growth |
The first sign / symptom of hirsutism is the abnormal hair growth in the following location :
Face (particularly, moustache, beard, and temple areas)
Chest
Areolae
Linea alba
Upper back
Lower back
Buttocks
Inner thighs
External genitalia
Other accompanying signs and symptoms may include some of the following :
Temporal hair recession
Oily skin
Masculine voice
Well-developed musculature
Enlargement of the clitoris (>35 sq mm in surface area)
Irregular menses
Psychological changes (e.g. heightened libido, aggressiveness)
Palpable abdominal tumors
Acanthosis nigricans : a skin pigmentation in the arm pits indicating insulin resistance |
| Diagnosis of Hirsutism or Abnormal Hair Growth |
The diagnosis of hirsutism includes the following steps :
Physical examination for the confirmation of diagnosis.
Hormonal evaluation for confirmation and finding the cause.
Imaging studies for finding the cause like x-ray / ultrasonography. |
| Diet in Hirsutism or Abnormal Hair Growth |
Good dietary and nutrition decisions can lead to improvement in hirsutism. Eating antioxidant foods such as blueberries, cherries, tomatoes, squash and bell peppers are general health decisions that may help to balance the body's hormonal system and bring symptoms like hirsutism back in line.
Refined foods, such as white breads, pastas and sugar should be avoided. |
| Homeopathic Treatment of Hirsutism or Abnormal Hair Growth |
Unwanted, excessive hair growth in wrong places or hirsutism is a frequent and common complaint among women nowadays. Hairiness over face, limbs, chest and abdomen could be a heavy burden, both psychologically and socially, since society sets impossibly high standards for feminine beauty.
In modern conventional medicine or allopathy, hormonal therapy fails to establish a “cure” in hirsutism or excessive hair growth, because the approach is up to the disease level alone. Anti androgenic preparations or replacement therapy will not root out the problem. Moreover it provokes the existing hormonal imbalance.
The various such medicines used in the allopathic treatment of hirsutism include :
Anti androgens : Anti androgens are medications that directly decrease androgen production or block the action of androgens on the hair follicle. Their side effects may cause birth defects. The most commonly used anti androgen is spironolactone. Side effects include tender breasts and irregular menstrual bleeding.
Birth control pills or OCPs : Birth control pills change the level of several hormones, including androgens. Side effects are nausea, breast tenderness, bloating, and mood changes, breakthrough bleeding or spotting.
The other methods used are :
Shaving : Shaving is a safe and effective method for hair removal, but may require daily sessions.
Chemical hair removal, waxing, and bleaching : Hair removal agents and wax can be used to remove hair, and bleaches can be used to lighten hair. Folliculitis is an unfortunate risk of plucking, shaving, and waxing. The treated hair follicles become inflamed, and painful pustules may develop.
Electrolysis : Electrolysis damages individual hair follicles by inserting a very fine needle into the hair follicle and applying an electrical current. But the procedure is very painful and expensive.
Laser therapy : Laser therapy for hair removal is the latest therapy in the world to remove excessive growth of hair. But its efficacy and efficiency is still not proved.
In contrast to all these painful and expensive procedures homeopathic magical doses can combat hirsutism effectively. Homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathy medicines are selected after a full individualizing examination and case analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution and so on. A miasmatic tendency (predisposition / susceptibility) is also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions.
Allopathic hormonal pills actually make the hormone producing glands lazy as the body starts depending on externally introduced hormones. Gradually the glands stop functioning altogether with increased need for externally introduced hormones.
In contrast a well selected homeopathy remedy has the capacity to correct hormonal imbalance by stimulating the glands to secrete various hormones in the required manner. Homeopathy is the fingerpost on the cross-roads of healing which directs the way to safe and permanent cure. |
| How homeopathy helps in treating hirsutism or excessive & abnormal hair growth : |
Homeopathic medicines firstly reduce the side effects of allopathic hormonal pills.
Homeopathy remedies act on the various glands to produce the hormones in the required manner. Gradually the hormonal levels becomes normal. Homoeopathic treatment has dynamic action in revitalization and regulation.
As the hormonal levels are within the normal limits the abnormal hair growth reduces substantially.
Homeopathic medicines help in the reduction of weight which secondarily lowers the level of androgens which are responsible of abnormal and excessive hair growth. |
| Homeopathy remedies correct the genetic predisposition to the disease. |
| There are many homoeopathy medicines which give great relief in hirsutism or abnormal and excessive hair growth. However, the correct choice and the resulting relief is a matter of experience and right judgment on the part of the homeopathy doctor. The treatment is decided after thorough case taking of the patient. Thus homeopathic remedies of hirsutism or abnormal and excessive hair growth are designer made unlike allopathy in which all patients receive the same drugs and hormaonal therapy although trade name may be different. |
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