Hirsutism

Question: Hirsutism? I am a 15 year old female and I`ve noticed some excessive hair growth over my body. Naturally I have very thick, dark hair on my head but it`s also showing in other places. My upper lip is sort of dark and some people have commented on it. I am getting more and more hairs on my neck and some under my chin. They are not very visible, but I know that they are not normal for a girl to have. Once I went to a doctor who examined a cyst on my tailbone, and he said that I was very hairy in my lower back. He said that I had hirsutism, but that it was nothing to be ashamed of. I always thought that it was a disease. Is it? But about the hairs on my face and neck-I`m afraid that as I get older they will get worse and I will actually have a serious case. Does this happen to girls my age? Will it eventually get serious? What can I do???

Answer: It is normal in some girls/women to have extra hair growth on body, especially those with dark thick hair from certain cultures (middle eastern, armenian) If your hair is dark, then it is more noticable. I have my face waxed once a month - (yes, my whole face) to get rid of the hair. After waxing a few times, the hair grows in softer and lighter. Also, I do have hair on my tailbone and back. I shave it off and it is not noticable. I would not worry about it too much. With me, it did increase with age but I have dealt with it fine. Don't worry, you are not going to turn into an ape! It never gets that bad!

Question: hirsutism? im a girl and im 15...i think i have hirsutism beacuse i have alot of hair on my belly and lower back, chin and the sides of my face and some on my neck...should i go to the doctor? and could it get treated?

Answer: You should remember that some people have more hair than others due to family genes, but it is important to determine how much it is normal. If you have doubts wether it is normal or isn't, you may go to your doctor. In the case that you suffer of hirsutism, it can be treated. Usually, it is due to hormonal imbalance or some drugs. Although hirsutism is an important esthetical issue, it usually comes algong a more serious problem.

Question: What are some ways of coping with hirsutism? i have hirsutism, does anyone know any ways to psychologically deal with it?

Answer: I wish I had the answer, because I also have it I think. I've never been diagnosed but I've done alot of research on it and I seem to have it.

Question: what are some natural ways to treat hirsutism? I have never thought about having hirsutism until recently I am just sick of excess hair. This did not develope recently, but I've been this way since I can remember. I don't have any male characteristics besides excess hair and its not EXTREME but its pretty bad I cant wear things I want etc. I realized that I become extremely oily and my hairs make acne everywhere! I've been drinkin spearmint tea recently, but need some other options. Thanks if someone can answer.

Answer: Meg, let me first state and ask the obvious.... have you actually been diagnosed with hirsutism? Or, do you simply feel that you're unusually hairy? My guess is that you're young(er) and are concerned that maybe you ARE a bit more hairy than some of your friends. Hirsutism is generally diagnosed via hormonal testing, and treatment options can vary from moderate to extreme. There really aren't any "natural" cures or reliefs. But in general, my guess is that you may be a little hairier than your friends, but you do not have hirsutism. If you wish to share more information privately, feel free to write. Include your contact info, per my profile comments. John Jones, MD

Question: What is an alternative cure for Hirsutism? I read about Spearmint tea to be effective in curing mild hirsutism. I'm from the Philippines, what particular brand can you recommend that is available here?

Answer: I've read the same, though I haven't heard any feed back about it. However, ANY brand would be fine. Good Luck

Question: Hirsutism-How long will I have to take spironolactone and at what dose before i notice my facial hair fading? I have alot of dark coarse chin hairs. I have read alot about spironolactone helping alot with getting this under control. But at what dose, and for how long until I would start to notice a difference? also, does it lower blood pressure a whole lot? I naturally have low blood pressure so I hope it will be ok for me to take for hirsutism. thanks

Answer: Get a blood pressure check after a month on Spironolactone. You can get it tested at many pharmacies. A month should make a difference in the texture of the hairs, took, as it will have reduced your androgens.

Question: What is the treatment for hirsutism in women and what is the effects on the body? Less body hair? Decreased muscle mass? Increased breast size?

Answer: Estrogen therapy

Question: How much does going on the pill help Hirsutism or Hypertrichosis? does it help loads or hardly not a lot Slows it down how much?

Answer: My Obgyn put me onto Diane 35ED for this particular reason. It does not get rid of it, waxing, electrolysis and laser work best for that, but it will slow it down and you will need to be on it for quite a while before you begin to notice any changes. Speak to an Obgyn for more info. I have had PCOS for 25½yrs

Question: what can you use for hirsutism for smokers ? I need to know what u can do for hirsutism ive done some research and your not ment to take it if you smoke because it can cause strokes and heart attacks. i do smoke and need to know what u can use other than the pill for hirsutism ? please help!

Answer: A product called Vaniqa (only available by prescription) could be an option but I would recommend checking with your doctor as well to see what they say.

Question: What type of doctor should i contact for consultation regarding hirsutism? would it be an endocrinologist?

Answer: An endocrinologist is probably your best bet as it may be caused by excess hormones. Other options are your OBGYN or family doctor.

Question: Will hirsutism keep me from joining the Navy? Please no asshole remarks or comments. I'm asking a very legit question. I have PCOS and have a few more pounds to lose (I know the symptoms of hirsutism will lessen with every pound dropped) before MEPS, but I'm curious if this will keep me from joining the Navy. Any information or input would be GREATLY appreciated. I have searched all over for the answer to this and found next to nothing.

Answer: Polycystic ovary syndrome. This common condition is caused by an imbalance of sex hormones, resulting in irregular periods, obesity, infertility and sometimes, multiple cysts on your ovaries. Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common identifiable cause of hirsutism. AR 40-501 Chapter 2 Physical Standards for Enlistment, Appointment, and Induction 2-14. Genitalia a. Female genitalia. (6) Current or history of ovarian cysts (620.2), when persistent or symptomatic is disqualifying.

Question: where can I find pictures of hirsutism? I think I may have it but I can't find any pictures to compare.

Answer: Visit: http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=…

Question: If I DON'T have hirsutism will the medications still work? I don't think I have hirsutism, a desease that is distinguished by abnormal hair growth, but I do have extra hair...more than most women. Would the hirsutism medicine still work on me?

Answer: jasmine- Treatment of the hirsutism is related to the severity of the disorder. Occasional women, as an example, have some body hair but no menstrual irregularity. In them, explanation of the variability of hair growth among different women and reassurance may be adequate therapy. However, consider therapy for any woman who requests it. Before initiating any therapy, a careful objective examination should be made so that the response to therapy can be assessed. Recommend that the clinician be familiar with a scoring system (eg, Ferriman Gallwey system) for the severity of hirsutism For women with mild hirsutism (either nonpharmacologic or pharmacologic treatment alone is a reasonable initial treatment intervention. For women with a more severe presentation, multi-modal therapy with both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic (often with two medications) is warranted. However, patient choice is as important in choosing therapy as the severity of hirsutism.

Question: What's the relation between hirsutism and libido? will the libido increase? decrease? wont' be affected? hirsutism is connected high levels of testosterone hormone if am wrong, does this affect libido in women? what about achieving orgasms?

Answer: Hirsutism is generally related to high testosterone levels. There's also a positive correlation between high testosterone levels and high libido in both males and females. Women with male hair patterns are much more likely to have high libido, much more likely to orgasm readily and very much more likely to have well-developed para-urethral glands and therefore be able to ejaculate. Ironically, then, the hairier a woman is, the better she's likely to be at the physical side of a relationship. A girl with a heavy moustache is likely to have far more going for her than you might have thought!

Question: Im almost POSITIVE i have Hirsutism and am really embrassed to go to my doctor to ask. HELP? OKay so i really want to get rid of my abnormally large amount of hair on my body but i'm only 16 and feel completely weird going to my doctor and telling her im a hairy beast. Is there any drug or medicine for hirstruism that I dont need a prescription for? I know I should just go to my doctor but I wont. Im way too embrassed.

Answer: You need to see a doctor because many different medical issues can cause hirsuteness, and unless you go you won't find the correct cure. You can be as embarrassed as you want and still go in. By not going in, you are resigning yourself to embarrassment and emotional with-drawl not to mention letting the situation continue to go unattended and get worse. This is something I have dealt with, and it is embarrassing, but getting it solved was liberating. Go in. Really

Question: What type of doctor should I see to diagnos hirsutism? I believe I have hirsutism. I just wanted t no ifI should see a obgyn or endocrinologist to diagnos this?

Answer: hirsuitism is a symptom, not a diagnosis...and any doctor can see that symptom....finding the cause, diagnosing THAT, and treating it appropriately would probably be best left to an endocrinologist.

Question: Do I have hirsutism or am I normal? I'm a 19 year old girl and instead of "peach fuzz" that most girls have, I'm covered in little black hairs. I don't know if it's hirsutism or if I just have little dark hairs. I've been a "hairy" kid since I was very young, so the hairs were there since I was a child, so I don't know if what I have is hirusitm or if I just have dark hairs instead of blond peach fuzz.

Answer: It is normal, if you want you can remove it but then when you start you can never stop.

Question: What causes hirsutism in women and is there treatment? I

Answer: High testosterone can cause that. Sometimes, a womans body produces a little more testosterone and thats why she gets manly features. However, there are many drugs that can cause that, dont know them at the top of my head. Usually discontinuing these drugs alleviates this problem. I dont know other treeatments, but i would guess estrogen therapy would help and also drugs that inhibit the release of testosterone.

Question: has anyone had hirsutism but managed to get rid of MAJORITY of the hair successfully? please help! thanks? hi. i'm pretty sure i have hirsutism after checking out like a million websites on hirsutism. this condition has affected my life in many ways. i really want to get rid of the hair forever. i was wondering if anyone knows which is the most effective treatment to undergo to get rid of hirsutism. any help would be greatly appreciated! thank you!

Answer: hirsutism is hormone related and laser treatment will not permanently remove facial hair. It will reduce it significantly. Your endocrinologist will suggest some hormone treatment to help reduce the hormone responsible for excessive hair.

Question: To what degree will a hysterectomy and oophorectomy influence hirsutism? Links appreciated.

Answer: it depends on your tendency and hormones - many women take hormones after surgery - so there wouldn't be any change - some don't take hormones, and still don't change