What Is Hirsutism?

Hirsutism women is a condition occurring in women where excessive hair growth in areas typically associated with male-pattern hair growth, such as the face, chest, and back is observed.The main difference between more typical hair on a woman’s body and face (often referred to as “peach fuzz”) and is the texture. When caused by hirsutism, the hair on a woman’s face, arms, chest, stomach, back, or chest is usually coarse and dark.

It is often caused by an increase in male hormones in the female body. 

 

How Is Hirsutism Caused?

Although there is no substantial cause being hirsutism in women, it can be caused by various factors, including:

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS):

PCOS is a hormonal disorder that leads to increased androgen levels, which can result in hirsutism.

• Adrenal Gland Disorders:

Conditions like congenital adrenal hyperplasia or adrenal tumors can cause an overproduction of androgens.

• Medications:

Certain drugs, such as anabolic steroids may lead to hirsutism as a side effect.

• Idiopathic Hirsutism:

Sometimes, the exact cause of hirsutism cannot be identified, and it is referred to as idiopathic hirsutism.

• Cushing’s Syndrome:

This rare disorder occurs due to excessive production of cortisol, which can lead to hirsutism.

• Tumors:

Rarely, tumors of the ovaries or adrenal glands can produce androgens and cause hirsutism.

• Family History:

Hirsutism can have a genetic component, and if there’s a family history of the condition, it may increase the risk.

 

 

How Do I Identify Hirsutism?

The main symptom of hirsutism is excessive hair growth in areas where it’s not typically seen in women, such as the:

• Face: Hair growth on the upper lip, chin, cheeks, and sideburns.
• Chest: Hair growth on the chest and around the nipples.
• Back: Hair growth on the upper and lower back.
• Abdomen: Hair growth on the lower abdomen.
• Thighs: Hair growth on the inner and outer thighs.

Some other associated symptoms may include:

• Acne: Increased androgens can lead to acne breakouts.
•  Irregular Menstrual Cycles: This can be linked to menstrual irregularities in some cases.
• Deepening of Voice: In rare cases this is due to significant androgen excess, voice changes may occur.
• Male Pattern Baldness: Excessive androgens can also lead to hair loss on the scalp in a male pattern.

 

 

Who Is Most At Risk For Hirsutism?

Certain factors can increase the risk of hirsutism in women. The following groups are considered most at risk:

• Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• Women with a wide family history of hirsutism
• Women with certain medical conditions such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing’s syndrome, etc.
• Women with certain ethnic backgrounds, such as women of South Asian, Middle Eastern, or Mediterranean descent, may have a higher prevalence of this condition.

 

 

How Can I Naturally Manage Excessive Hair Growth?

Natural remedies help manage the symptoms of this condition to a large extent. Here are some natural approaches that could be considered:

• Weight Management: For women with hirsutism associated with PCOS, maintaining a healthy weight through eating right, moving more, and sleeping well improves hormone balance and reverses symptoms.
• Consuming Nutritious Foods: Choose living, water-rich, whole, plant-based foods that are local and seasonal for overall well-being and hormone regulation. Avoid packaged and processed foods. 
• Stress Reduction: Chronic stress can affect hormone levels, so practicing stress-reducing techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises is beneficial.

The ten modern lifestyle root causes for hormonal imbalance related to PCOS that may lead to Hirsutism are:

• Food-Related Causes– Inflammation, toxicity, acidity, excess male hormones, insulin resistance.
• Exercise-Related Causes: Sedentary lifestyle, lack of muscle strength, excess ovarian fat.
• Sleep-Related Causes: Poor sleep quality (Lack of Deep Sleep).
• Stress-Related Causes: Chronic Stress.  Addressing these triggers through an integrated approach can naturally restore hormonal balance.

How can the Five Pillars Integrated Lifestyle Approach Help You to Have Hormonal Balance and Reverse Symptoms of Hirustism?

• Eat Right: Embrace living, water-rich, whole, plant-based foods that nurture our genetic potential. By opting for local and seasonal choices, we honor nature’s wisdom. Eliminating packaged and processed foods liberates us from epigenetic imprints, elevating our hormonal health.
• Move More: Embark on a journey of holistic lifestyle changes, where staying active transcends mere exercise. Embracing constant movement throughout the day optimizes epigenetic expression, igniting hormonal balance. Engage in pleasurable physical activities, dance, or even mindful walks to unlock the power of epigenetic triggers.
• Breathe Aware: As we deepen our understanding of Pranayama, the science of breath, we access a profound gateway to support gland function and harmonize hormones. Harnessing the breath’s epigenetic influence, we transcend the ordinary and elevate our hormonal well-being.
• Sleep Better: Unlock the secrets of deep sleep, a transformative practice for healing and regeneration. With the art of Yog Nidra, we embrace epigenetic potential, unearthing hormonal harmony in the realm of dreams. Rejuvenate your entire being through this exquisite dance with the epigenetic clock.
• Mind Free: Journey into the realm of emotions, thoughts, and stress resilience, where journaling, gratitude, and emotional practices become our guiding compass. Embracing epigenetic intelligence, we shift our narrative from stress to serenity, empowering our hormonal landscape.

 

Conclusively, 

Hirsutism can be emotionally distressing. Some women feel self-conscious about having unwanted hair. Some develop depression. Also, although it doesn’t cause physical complications, the underlying cause of a hormonal imbalance can.

Mild hair growth in women in the areas that are considered under male patterns of hair growth like the chest, abdomen, and thighs is normal for many. However, if the hair growth is excessive, persistent, and causes distress, then it may be classified under hirsutism. Some cases of hirsutism may be caused by genetic factors or other medical conditions that cannot be entirely prevented, but it can definitely be managed by managing the symptoms that it brings along with it. 

Ultimately by eating right, moving more, breathing aware, sleeping well & reducing stress, it is entirely possible to prevent conditions like hirsutism much before they even develop. Upon development, their symptoms can also be reversed.