Hirsutism Causes
Medically, the growth of hair on the unwanted areas of your body is called Hirsutism. Female suffering from this problem will see a typical male hair growth patterns, affecting the face (moustache/mustache or beard), chest, abdomen or back.
Normally, most women may have fine hair on these parts of the body, but if you are suffering from hirsutism, you will see it happening excessive. This is ideally caused because of the high levels of male hormones – androgens.
What Causes Facial Hair In Women?
As far as the facial hair (also Hirsutism) is concerned among the woman folks, as said earlier, it is caused due to the increased male sex hormones (androgens) in them.
Sensitivity of hair follicles: Other causes of hirsutism are due to the increased sensitivity of hair follicles to androgens. The increased levels of androgens may also result in hair loss in both men and women.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of hirsutism. The growth of thick female facial and body hair occurs due to the increased production of androgens by the ovaries.
Adrenal disorders: Adrenal disorders may cause the adrenal cortex to increase its production of androgens (male sex hormones), which would lead to hirsutism.
Genetic: Genetic factors which may also be responsible for excessive hair growth in certain ethnic groups, results in female facial hair growth.
Drugs: Certain drugs may increase androgen levels in the blood, particularly anabolic steroids used by athletes and body builders, high progesterone contraceptives, drugs for endometriosis and certain hormone replacement therapies.
Hormonal Changes: Hormone changes in menopause and pregnancy may result in hirsutism. And disorders of the endocrine glands, affecting the pituitary gland, thyroid gland and pancreas affect androgen levels thereby resulting in hirsutism.
