Hirsutism
En Español (Spanish Version)Hirsutism is excess hair growth in women and children.
Whether or not hair growth is abnormal depends on:
- A person's idea of "normal"
- Family tendencies
- Ethnic background
True hirsutism may be due to:
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
Risk factors include:
- Family members with hirsutism
- Lack of ovulation
- Disorders of the adrenal glands
- Use of androgens
- Older age
Symptoms and signs of some disorders associated with hirsutism may include:
- Excess hair growth (on the face, arms, legs, or chest)
- Abnormal or absent menstrual periods
- Decreased breast size
- Male-pattern baldness (in a woman)
- Deepened voice
- Increased size of clitoris
- High blood pressure
- Enlarged ovaries
- Enlarged adrenal glands
- Abnormal cholesterol and glucose intolerance
Adrenal Gland
© 2011 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Tests may include:
- Blood tests—to measure the amounts of certain hormones
- Stimulation or suppression tests—to measure how hormone levels in the blood respond to changes
- X-ray
—a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body
- Ultrasound—a test that uses sound waves to examine the inside of the body
- CT scan
—a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of the inside of the body
- MRI scan
—a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of the inside of the body
Treatment is directed at the underlying cause of the hirsutism and may include:
Methods of removing hair include:
- Shaving
- Bleaching
- Chemical treatment (depilatories)
- Waxing
- Electrolysis
- Laser treatment
- Intense pulsed light (IPL)—uses high-intensity pulses of light to remove hair; unlike laser treatment, IPL uses a range of wavelengths.
Researchers are also looking into combining treatment options for patients diagnosed with hirsutism. A study published in the
Journal of American Academy of Dermatology
found that elfornithine 13.9% cream in addition to laser treatments further reduces unwanted facial hair for up to six months.
If you are diagnosed with a condition that may be causing hirsutism, proper treatment may resolve the hirsutism.
Hirsutism may be prevented by treating the underlying cause.
American Academy of Family Physicians
Canadian Dermatology Association
Azziz R. The evaluation and management of hirsutism.
Obstet Gynecol.
2003;101:99-108.
Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment
. Lange Medical Books; 2001.
Ferri's Clinical Advisor
. Mosby; 2000.
Lustberg ME. Hirsutism.
N Engl J Med.
2006;354:1532-1533.
11/1/2007
DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
: Hamzavi I, Tan E, Shapiro J, Lui H. A randomized bilateral vehicle-controlled study of eflornithine cream combined with laser treatment versus laser treatment alone for facial hirsutism in women.
J Am Acad Dermatol.
2007;57:54-59.
9/2/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
: Haak CS, Nymann P, Pedersen AT, et al. Hair removal in hirsute women with normal testosterone levels: a randomized controlled trial of long-pulsed diode laser versus intense pulsed light.
Br J Dermatol.
2010 Aug 20. [Epub ahead of print]
Last Reviewed September 2011