Way Too much Hair
Having too much hair on the parts of the body where you don’t want it is technically called hirsutism. Hirsutism is a disorder in women where excessive growth of thick, coarse hairs occurs in areas of the body that are easily activated by androgens (male hormones), such as the chin, jaw, forearms, or moustache area. This excess hair growth is often, but not always, associated with measurably elevated androgen levels.
Androgens are male hormones that are natural in women, where they are balanced along with the female hormone estrogen as part of the body’s hormonal equilibrium. Both androgens and estrogens are produced in women by the ovary and adrenal glands, and peripherally from skin and fat cells (so that the more fat cells you have, as in being overweight, the more risk you have for excess hair growth).
The most common cause of hirsutism is polycystic ovarian syndrome. Other causes are late-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing’s syndrome, and the HAIR-AN syndrome. Pituitary, ovarian, and adrenal tumors can be factors that are important, but they are rarely causes of hirsutism.
If you are struggling with excessive or abnormal hair growth, ranging from moderate to severe, or you experience a sudden onset of excessive hair growth, it can be helpful, if not essential, to have a medical evaluation to determine the cause and options for treatment. Identification of the underlying causes usually doesn’t alter the management of the condition, but it can identify women at risk for infertility, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and endometrial cancer. (Source: Dermatologic Therapy, September-October 2008, pages 376-391.)