Introduction to Hirsutism
Hirsutism is the medical name for too much hair growth. It shows up as thick, dark hair in areas like the face, chest, and back. This isn’t just about looks. It can really affect how girls and women feel about themselves. It often points to issues with hormones and can signal other health problems.
There are three key types of hirsutism. The most common one involves hormones and is linked to conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome. The other types, which don’t involve hormones much, are rare. Sometimes, doctors can’t find the specific reason. Then, they call it idiopathic hirsutism.
There’s also hypertrichosis, which isn’t the same as hirsutism. It’s when someone has a lot of hair in places that shouldn’t have much, like the forehead or cheeks. This can be due to genes, certain medications, or other health issues.
Several things can lead to hirsutism. The body’s levels of hormones called androgens play a big role. So do the amounts of these hormones in the skin where the hair is growing. The third important aspect is how sensitive each hair follicle is to androgens. Even though the number of hair follicles we have is pretty much set in stone, their growth and type can change with our androgen levels.
Key Takeaways:
- Excessive hair growth in some areas characterizes hirsutism.
- It’s often linked to hormonal problems and can hurt self-esteem.
- The leading causes are hormonal, non-hormonal, and sometimes unknown.
- Hypertrichosis means too much hair in the wrong places.
- Androgen levels, their local effects, and follicle response shape hirsutism.
Understanding the Hair Growth Cycle and Hormonal Regulation
Hair growth is managed by many elements, such as growth factors and hormones. When we hit puberty, some vellus hairs turn into terminal hairs in specific parts of the body. Androgens, or male sex hormones, are key in this process. They help to grow terminal hair and stimulate sebaceous glands.
The hair growth cycle has three main parts: anagen, catagen, and telogen. The anagen phase is when hair actually grows. It’s the longest phase and can last a few years for scalp hair. That’s why the hair on your head can grow much longer than the hair on your arms or legs.
After anagen, the catagen phase begins. This is a short phase that cuts off the hair’s growth. It only lasts a few weeks.
Next is the telogen phase, where hair stops growing and falls out. This phase lasts about 3 months. At any time, 10-15% of scalp hairs are in this phase. Then, the whole cycle starts anew.
Insulin resistance can also disrupt hair growth. It occurs when the body’s insulin is not as effective. This can affect the hair growth process and lead to issues.
Hormonal Regulation of Hair Growth
Androgens, such as testosterone and DHT, heavily affect hair growth. They interact with hair follicles to control the growth cycle. Androgens are responsible for stimulating terminal hair growth and affecting sebaceous glands.
DHT, a type of testosterone, is critical in male pattern baldness. It shrinks hair follicles, shortens the anagen phase, and causes hair to thin and fall out over time.
Insulin resistance isn’t good for hair growth either. It can mess up with how hair follicles work and change the growth cycle. Treating insulin resistance can sometimes improve the way your hair grows back.
Knowing about the hair growth cycle and hormones helps in dealing with issues like hirsutism and hair loss. By focusing on managing hormonal imbalances, treatments can better help these concerns.
Diagnosing and Managing Hirsutism
Hirsutism can have many causes. The most common is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS causes issues like irregular periods and problems using insulin. It also leads to too much male hormone (androgen) signs like extra body hair.
Other reasons for hirsutism are adrenal or ovarian cancers, Cushing’s disease, and some medications. To find the cause, doctors need to take a detailed history and do a thorough exam. They also check your blood for any hormone problems. This helps plan the best treatment for each person.
Treating hirsutism means working on both the symptoms and the root issue. You might change your lifestyle, take certain medicines, or even try new therapies like stem cells. Changes in what you eat, losing weight, and exercising can help. They make your body better at using insulin and balancing hormones.
Medicines for hirsutism include anti-androgens, birth control pills, and drugs that help with insulin. Stem cell therapy could be an option if other treatments don’t work. But, it’s important to keep seeing your doctor regularly. Hirsutism needs continuous care to manage it over time.