Hirsutism: what is this excessive hair growth that affects some women and what is it due to?

While the film Rosalieinspired by the life of Clémentine Delait, famous bearded woman of the early 20th century, is currently in theaters, let’s take a look at hirsutism.

This hyperpilosity would affect, to varying degrees, between 5 and 10% of women of childbearing age.

The causes of hirsutism

Legs, armpits, arms… having more or less hair is completely natural. But when in women, this hairiness becomes abundant and affects typically male parts of the body, such as cheeks, chest or stomachwe then speak of hirsutism.

THE causes of this hirsutism are varied:

• From mother to daughter: excess hair is often idiopathic (without identified cause) and of family origin;
• Polycystic ovary syndrome: it is a hormonal disorder characterized in particular by an excess of androgens, that is to say male hormones.
• Medications: certain medications, such as danazol (which can be used in the treatment of endometriosis) or other anabolic steroids can also be the cause.

Medical consultation, a highly recommended step

Because this excess hair can have a strong psychological impact, a consultation to the treating physician, a dermatologist, a gynecologist or an endocrinologist is strongly recommended. In fact, waxing or shaving will not help treat the cause of hirsutism.

First of all, a test named Ferriman and Gallwey score allows you to assess the severity of hyperpilosity depending on the part of the body. Then, depending on the origin of the disorder, treatment can be put in place.

Treat the origin

In the event of hormonal imbalance, a estrogen-progestin hormonal contraception may be prescribed. If a medication is involved, the doctor will consider stopping or replacing it.

In case of polycystic ovary syndrome, and especially if the patient is overweight, an improvement in lifestyle is essential to promote well-being. A loss of approximately 10% of initial weight helps reduce hyperandrogenism (excess of male sex hormones) and its symptoms.

With Destination Santé.

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