Hirsutism in women: treatment, reviews, reasons, photo
Every woman wants to be beautiful and attractive. Sometimes health problems are on the way to the desired goal. The increased growth of hair on the chin, in the chest and upper lip, as well as on the back is inherent only in men. If for them it is considered the norm, then for the fair sex - a serious deviation.
Hirsutism - what is it?
Hirsutism is a disease characterized by the hairiness of a female face and a male-type body. It is not an individual pathology. This is a symptom of abnormalities in the body or a genetic feature.
Hirsutism is accompanied by the growth of a beard and mustache, an excess of hair on the arms and legs. In most cases, its development is due to the high concentration of male hormones in the blood - androgens. Frequent companions of the pathological process are infertility, failure of the female cycle, overweight. Sometimes it is accompanied by severe symptoms of defemination.
The main causes of the violation
Pathologies, which are characterized by increased hair growth on different parts of the body, not so much. Most of them are dangerous and even menacing to health. This is evidenced by numerous medical reports. Treatment of hirsutism in women should not be reduced solely to removing excess vegetation. First of all, you need to undergo a comprehensive examination and find out the cause of the violation.
The disorder of the hormonal background in hirsutism is sometimes due to the use of oral contraceptives. Many women independently prescribe a dosage and choose a drug. As a consequence, they have serious health problems.
Men's hair growth can also be caused by such reasons as:
- Ovarian diseases( polycystosis, benign or malignant formations).
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Menopause.
- Adrenal pathology( tumors, Cushing's syndrome, Addison's disease).
- Obesity.
- Dysfunction of the thyroid gland.
- Hereditary predisposition.
Another cause of the disease is the uncontrolled use of certain medications. First of all, we are talking about corticosteroids( "Cortisol", "Hydrocortisone").
The first manifestations of the disease
The main symptom of hirsutism is considered to be the appearance of hard hair on the body. They can occupy part of the chin, chest, abdomen or hips. Manifest disease can be absolutely at any age, including during puberty. It is characteristic only of the fair sex.
The congenital form of this disease deserves special attention. It is enough to look at the photo of hirsutism in women of Caucasian nationality in order to understand the seriousness of the pathology. At them its occurrence is not caused by problems with health. When hair growth according to the male type develops without a hereditary predisposition, it is necessary to consult a doctor to determine the cause of the disorder.
Forms of the disease
In medical practice, the pathological process is classified into several forms, each of which has characteristic features.
- Constitutional. The increase of hair on the body in this case is associated with physiological changes and hereditary traits. A standard blood test may not show an increase in androgen levels. For women, this condition is a natural behavior of the body.
- Idiopathic. This form of the disease indicates the inability to pinpoint the cause of its development. Simultaneously, a high level of free testosterone is found in the blood serum.
- Exogenous. The pathological process is a consequence of the introduction of androgens into the body. To this extent one often has to resort to the treatment of certain ailments.
Reviews on the treatment of hirsutism in women suggest that determining its shape plays an important role. Otherwise, the therapy does not bring the desired effect.
Diagnostic Methods
If the initial symptoms of the disorder appear, you need to contact the endocrinologist. First, the specialist will listen to complaints and conduct a physical examination. Most cases of increased hair growth in the male type is associated with the endocrine disorders. It can be diabetes, obesity or other causes of metabolic disorders. Otherwise, an additional consultation with a gynecologist is required.
What tests should I take with hirsutism in women? Diagnosis of the disease includes a blood test to determine the level of testosterone, gonadotropin, cortisol, androstenedione. The increase in some indicators usually indicates problems with the ovaries. Be sure to take an analysis of the concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone( DHEAS), which is synthesized in the adrenal cortex.
After receiving a complete picture of the pathological process, the doctor can prescribe a competent treatment for hirsutism. What is this for ailment? How is it transmitted? Why does it arise? To these questions the specialist also provides answers to the consultations. In modern medicine, several approaches to treatment are used. Each of them has definite testimony. More details about the methods of therapeutic treatment of the problem will be described below.
Use of
medicines After identifying the cause of hirsutism, appropriate medications are prescribed to eliminate it. Therapy may include one of the following:
- The use of combined contraceptives that inhibit the secretion of male sex hormones( "Diane-35", "Jeanine").These drugs contain a minimum concentration of estrogen.
- Use of "Dexamethasone" or "Prednisolone".These drugs reduce the production of androgens by the adrenal glands.
- Application of "Spironolactone".This drug blocks androgen receptors and simultaneously suppresses their synthesis. The first results of treatment can be observed in a few days after the start of taking the tablets.
Treatment of hirsutism in women with drugs with hormonal components can last from 3 months to one year. At the same time, it is necessary to visit the doctor periodically, and, if necessary, adjust the therapy regimen. Combined oral contraceptives are not prescribed to women after 35 years of age, with liver failure and hypertension. Their reception is undesirable if the lady in the near future is planning a pregnancy.
The independent choice of tablets from hirsutism in women can provoke the development of complications. Without preliminary diagnosis and determination of dosage, hormones have a negative effect on the endocrine glands and some internal organs. As a result, the patient has problems with the menstrual cycle, forming multiple cysts in the ovaries.
Tumor removal
If the cause of the disease is ovarian or adrenal cancer, surgery is indicated. In the case of hirsutism, neoplastic cells begin to produce androgens in large quantities. Therefore, only with the help of surgery can the patient be cured. With a large tumor size, resection of the entire organ is recommended. After removal, maintenance hormone therapy is prescribed, which sometimes has to be adhered to throughout life.
Cosmetic procedures
What else is possible with the diagnosis of "hirsutism" in women treatment? The doctors' testimonies indicate that the use of medicines can only eliminate the cause of the disease. The new hair gradually ceases to grow. To cope with the already available help different secrets of cosmetology. To get rid of unnecessary vegetation, lightening procedures, bioepilation with wax and even chemical effects are used. Each of these methods has its own characteristics.
Chemical depilation helps to cope only with mild symptoms of the disease. In the fight against thick and coarse hair, she, as a rule, is powerless. Clarification and bioepilation are very traumatic options. Hair removal in this way is not recommended for women with sensitive skin.
Electro- or photoepilation deserve special attention. To date, these procedures are considered the most effective in combating excess vegetation after the treatment of hirsutism in women. Photo manipulation often come to the eye in beauty salons. During the procedures, the hair follicle directly affects the hair follicle in order to stop its further activity. Choose a specific method of hair removal better with the help of a specialist. It is important to take into account possible contra-indications and own financial possibilities.
Traditional Medicine Aid
Is it possible to have an independent home treatment for hirsutism in women? Reviews of doctors on this issue are ambiguous. However, most of them are inclined to think about acceptable methods of influencing the problem. After diagnosing and recommending a doctor, you can take medicines at home, but only in strict accordance with the prescribed scheme.
As for the help of folk remedies, their application should be aimed at clarifying or removing hair. Through the prescriptions of the healers, it is not possible to combat the causes of their appearance.
At home, you can use dope infusion. It is recommended to use an oil remedy to wipe the affected skin once a day. Before the procedure, it is better to do depilation. Datura is a poisonous plant. Therefore, any recipes with its use should be used with caution.
Also well established itself tincture based on walnut partitions. Its regular application allows you to reduce hair growth and soften them a little. For preparation it is required to pour raw materials from 30 nuts 100 ml of alcohol, to insist for 2-3 weeks. After the tincture is necessary for cosmetic purposes, use daily.
Comments of doctors and patients
Almost all physicians agree in the common opinion that the treatment of hirsutism should be started immediately after the appearance of the first signs. After passing the diagnosis and receiving the doctor's appointments, one can hope for a favorable prognosis. However, the visible effect of the therapy is only visible after 6 months.
If you neglect the recommendations of a doctor, practice only the treatment of folk remedies, hirsutism in women will progress. In addition to problems with appearance, there may be disruptions in the operation of internal organs. The most common complication, according to doctors, is the violation of the menstrual cycle. As a consequence, infertility occurs.
Experts are sure that the diet for hirsutism in women plays an important role. All recommendations and appointments are given on an individual basis. Usually they are aimed at combating obesity, excluding harmful food. Small adjustments may concern the diet, if a woman has a history of other diseases.
The representatives of the fair sex believe that the greatest effect in the fight against hirsutism can be achieved by combining drug therapy and salon procedures. After the end of the course, it is equally important to prevent hormonal disorders. In this issue, without consulting a gynecologist and endocrinologist can not do.