All land mammals have hair and that means we humans also have hair. We have hair that grows all over our bodies although much of it is so fine and of a very light color that we hardly notice it. This type of hair is called "vellus" hair. We also have coarser hair which is much more noticeable and that is called "terminal" hair.
Hirsutism refers to the terminal hair that can be present in women.
As terminal hair is coarser and grows longer it is much easier to see. A typical example is the hair we have on our heads. During puberty both men and women undergo hair growth in the pubic area as well as under the arms - this more noticeable and coarser hair is terminal hair. Men also grow noticeable hair on the faces, arms and legs and other parts of the body.
Excess body hair, and referring specifically to terminal hair, in women many times provokes the need to eliminate it for various reasons, the principle one being for aesthetic and beauty related considerations.
We all have a genetic predisposition that regulates the amount of hair we have -but in the case of hirsutism, the excess hair is a symptom of something that is not right. Hirsutism is not a disease but it does indicate that there is an underlying reason for that hair growth in areas where women will normally not have observable hair.
It is very easy to understand and sympathize with any woman who has excess terminal hair as this can quite easily affect her self image and therefore her confidence in herself.
This is very important as with the different methods available for hair removal it is quite easy to eliminate it. There is nothing wrong with removing and eliminating unwanted hair and in fact it has many positive aspects to it. However if hirsutism is present and hair is removed, if this symptomatic hair is removed, without identifying and diagnosing the cause, then it is most unlightly that a real solution to the illness or disease will be found.
The following is a list of conditions that can provoke hirsutism:
Poly cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Cushing's disease Tumors in the ovaries or adrenal gland (cancer) Certain medications Congenital adrenal hyperplasia Insulin resistance Obesity Some females who suffer from an eating disorder, anorexia or bulimia, can develop more noticeable hair growth as their body reacts as a response to its lower capacity to withstand changes of temperature. In other words as there isn't enough fat in the body (arms, legs, buttocks, breast) the body looks for a solution to maintain heat.
The sudden growth of terminal hair, especially after puberty, can be cause for alarm.
This article is presented for informational purposes and as such it does not deal with this subject exhaustively. If you or someone near you has a sudden growth of coarser hair where normally women will not have it - face, chest, thighs, back - then seek a medical opinion.
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