Hirsutism

February 17, 2012

Related Articles:

• Price Perfectil Plus
• Operation hair
• What is PMS
• How to dye your hair without the "chemistry"?

Tweet

Hirsutism - A condition in which women have been excessive growth of terminal hair. These hairs are distributed throughout the body of the male type, that is, they grow in the so-called androgen-dependent areas. Hirsutism occurs as a consequence of a too high level of production in women androgens . Today, statistics show that hirsutism occurs in about 5-10% of women, depending on their ethnicity. If hirsutism hair of women are not just highly visible, but often cause confusion in others. In most cases, women who develop hirsutism have thick and dark hair.

Causes of hirsutism

Women who develop hirsutism, the nature of hair distribution, its distribution and intensity is determined mainly by androgens. Conventional vellus hair that grows on the body under the influence Testosterone   and dihydrotestosterone   in hair follicles begin to transform into terminal hair.

Under the action of the androgen activity phase of the hair follicle becomes longer, thus increasing hair diameter also becomes stronger pigmentation and the function of the sebaceous glands. Depending on where the hair follicles are localized, and can vary their reaction. So, in the forehead and crown a strong and long-androgen excess provokes a spasm of blood vessels, which surround the follicles. Later follicles die off, and the patient is formed by the so-called androgenic alopecia . Excessive production of androgens in the hair follicles in the other parts of the body stimulates hair growth, which termed hirsutism.

Also cause excessive hair growth in women is sometimes elevated insulin levels. This woman may be suffering from obesity. Experts have found that a high concentration of insulin becomes a factor stimulating cells that produce androgens.

The types and extent of hirsutism

There is a special Ferriman-scale Gollveya At which the degree evaluated and hirsutism. The degree of hair growth was evaluated in scores. Thus, the experts determine the degree androgenization a woman, and can serve as one of the methods used in the diagnosis of disease. Diagnosis of hirsutism also involves the use of some techniques of laboratory diagnosis to determine the level of testosterone in the blood of the patient.

Today, a variety of types of hirsutism. At constitutional form of hirsutism the disease has only hereditary. In this case, increased hair growth in women manifests itself in the normal production of androgens. This type of hair distribution characteristic of the women of some ethnic groups. Typically, this form of hirsutism is observed among the indigenous inhabitants of the Mediterranean, some of the countries of the East. Also, some women facial hair growth is more intense during the Menopause When the body has been some failure in hormonal ratio androgens   and estrogen .

At exogenous type of hirsutism   the disease develops as a consequence of the introduction of the female body of androgens for the treatment of certain diseases. So, if a woman took androgens during gestation baby, the baby can be born with intersex anatomical structure of the genitals, as well as manifestations of hirsutism. Also can trigger the development of hirsutism corticosteroids Treatment streptomycin . Also predisposing factors to the development of hirsutism can be a constant stress and long-lasting hunger strike.

At idiopathic hirsutism   there is an increased body hair, arising from a violation of the ovulatory menstrual cycle and abnormal peripheral androgen content. Specialists as causes of hirsutism idiomatic define an isolated increase in the activity of the enzyme 5a reductase, or changes in the activity of androgen receptors. On examination, the doctor determines whether there is hirsutism or normal hair growth.

At hypertrichosis   the patient has excessive hairiness general nature which is independent of the androgen. If there are different versions of hypertrichosis distribution, volume, localization of hair growth, the possibility of the presence of both innate and acquired the initiation of hair growth, as well as the possibility of associated congenital anomalies of nature. Hypertrichosis may be sporadic phenomenon, but quite common and familial forms of the disease.

Depending on the clinical signs are determined by light form of congenital hypertrichosis type of hirsutism, which manifests itself in adolescence, as well as androgen tumors.

Diagnosis of hirsutism

If you have complaints of too much body hair should contact their doctor gynecologist-endocrinologist . Generally, the information required to distinguish these states, the doctor can get in the inspection process. On questioning the patient, which must be conducted for the diagnosis of hirsutism, the doctor must make sure she did not accept at the time some of the drugs. So, body hair can provoke anabolic steroid . male sex hormones . danazol . interferon . cyclosporine . To determine the level of hormones in the female body, there are special laboratory tests. It is important to determine the level of testosterone in the blood serum, as well as the presence and level of other components.

In some cases, hirsutism is a symptom of a tumor or accompany hypersecretion glucocorticoids Or innate dysplasia   adrenal cortex. Therefore, in the process of diagnosis expert should exclude such states, which are assigned additional study. Typically, in most cases, the presence of concomitant diseases studies identify problems with the functioning of the ovaries or adrenal glands.

Treatment of hirsutism

Treatment of hirsutism should be carried out, first of all, in order to save a woman from feeling discomfort and embarrassment. However, it is important that before you start to struggle with unwanted body hair, she visited a doctor, took the necessary studies and obtain a detailed consultation.

After determining the cause of hirsutism doctor may prescribe a course of treatment the patient drugs to lower the content of androgens in the female body. To prevent the increased production of male hormones in women, used tools, which are called Anti-androgens . Such preparations should take three to six months, with the duration of treatment, the doctor determines an individual basis. However, the effectiveness of the impact of these drugs in women only stops hair growth in the future. But those hairs that grew before, should be removed using commonly used methods of dealing with excessive body hair.

Also retard the growth of unwanted facial hair using special ointments and creams. The course of treatment lasts from such means four to eight weeks. In some cases, using special injection treatments that slow the process of hair growth.

The means positive impact on the status of women, however, still use these drugs often cause unwanted side effects. First of all, it is undesired hormonal body, which may occur due to excess weight , Broken menstrual cycle . Also, a woman may suffer from symptoms depression .

Today is actively used different methods remove excess hair on the skin. The most widespread and safe method in this case is considered to shaving. Also, women often use special creams for depilation. However, due to the presence in their composition of active chemicals such creams are not suitable for all people. Additionally, hair is removed by waxing, their decolorized. However, in women with hirsutism latter procedure can cause quite severe irritation.

Good results in the fight against unwanted body hair brings the use of electrolysis. Using this method can be very effective in getting rid of hair on various body parts. However hirsutism hair, in most cases, very thick, but a method of electrolysis involves that in this case each follicle to be treated separately. Therefore, to fully get rid of unwanted hair requires a lot of time and cost.

Much faster to overcome the undesirable body hair is possible with the help of laser hair removal. At the same time the result is fixed permanently.

But the most important to consider that women with hirsutism, it is important, first of all, to eliminate the cause of the unwanted hair, and only deal with their disposal.

Treatment of hirsutism lasts a long period, so it is important to tune in to the fact that the reduction in hair growth will be noticeable, at least six months.

Complications hirsutism

In the long hirsutism in women may disrupt menstrual function and, as a consequence, it may be infertility . anemia . uterine bleeding . If hirsutism occurs in the background polycystic ovary , The patient may also occur over time   diabetes .

In addition, women who suffer from hirsutism long period of time, can develop a number of serious complexes, which greatly complicate the daily lives.

Prevention of hirsutism

As a method of preventing the disease is important to prevent the emergence of excess weight, because it is in obese women increases the content of male hormones. To prevent excessive hair growth on different parts of the body, it is important to avoid the use of drugs that provoke hirsutism.