Hirsutism is usually lifelong although medications taken long term can help the condition go away but it may not fully go away even with taking medication.
Laser hair removal and waxing can reduce unwanted hair.
Hirsutism is pretty rare and only affects 10 percent of women in the United States.
Hirsutism is the growth of excessive male pattern hair in women after puberty.
Hirsutism affects facial and body areas that are dependent on androgens, namely the mustache and beard, buttocks, thighs and pubic hair.
The root of hirsutism is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which is a condition affecting the ovaries that can also cause symptoms such as acne and irregular periods.
Hirsutism is linked to the hormones called androgens and it can occur if the level of the androgen hormones increase or if your body becomes more sensitive to the androgens.
Hirsutism is most often due to hyperproduction of androgens, of ovarian or adrenal origin.
Hyperandrogenism of tumor origin, which is very severe, must be distinguished from non-tumor hyperandrogenism, which is often minimal or moderate.
Hirsutism is a condition that causes excess hair that is most often noticeable around the mouth and chin.
When you have hirsutism, extra hair growth often arises from excess male hormones (androgens), primarily testosterone.
Self-care methods and effective treatment options are available for women who wish to treat hirsutism.
Estrogen-progestin contraceptive pills, rings, and patches lower the levels of androgens produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands.
They are usually the first choice for the treatment of hirsutism, and between 60 and 100 percent of females with hirsutism will notice improvement when taking these medications.
Treating the underlying cause of hirsutism can improve your symptoms.
Long-term medication may slow hair growth, but it usually will not get rid of existing hair on the face and body.
Some cosmetic techniques, laser hair removal and waxing, can reduce unwanted hair.
Being overweight causes your body to make more male hormones, which can make hirsutism worse.
In women, androgens are produced by the ovaries or the adrenal glands.
But some women with hirsutism don't have PCOS or any other cause that can be found.
Their hormone levels are normal, and so are their menstrual cycles.
These women may have been born with hair follicles that are more sensitive to androgens.