Hirsutism is a condition in women that results in excessive growth of dark or coarse hair in a male-like pattern — face, chest, and back. With hirsutism, extra hair growth often arises from excess male hormones (androgens), primarily testosterone. Hirsutism may be caused by several factors, includinRead more
Hirsutism is a condition in women that results in excessive growth of dark or coarse hair in a male-like pattern — face, chest, and back. With hirsutism, extra hair growth often arises from excess male hormones (androgens), primarily testosterone.
Hirsutism may be caused by several factors, including:
– **Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)**: This condition, which often begins with puberty, causes an imbalance of sex hormones.
– **Cushing syndrome**: This occurs when your body is exposed to high levels of the hormone cortisol.
– **Congenital adrenal hyperplasia**: This inherited condition is characterized by abnormal production of steroid hormones, including cortisol and androgen, by your adrenal glands.
– **Tumors**: Rarely, an androgen-secreting tumor in the ovaries or adrenal glands can cause hirsutism.
– **Medications**: Some medications can cause hirsutism. These include minoxidil (Minoxidil, Rogaine); danazol, which is used to treat women with endometriosis; testosterone (Androgel, Testim); and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
Here’s a step-by-step approach to managing hirsutism: 1. Confirm and characterize • Use the modified Ferriman–Gallwey score to quantify hair growth. • Check serum androgens (total/free testosterone, DHEA-S) to identify hyperandrogenism. • If testosterone is markedly elevated or hirsutism has rapid oRead more
Here’s a step-by-step approach to managing hirsutism:
1. Confirm and characterize
• Use the modified Ferriman–Gallwey score to quantify hair growth.
• Check serum androgens (total/free testosterone, DHEA-S) to identify hyperandrogenism.
• If testosterone is markedly elevated or hirsutism has rapid onset or virilization signs, image the ovaries and adrenals to rule out androgen-secreting tumors.
2. Address underlying factors
• In overweight patients, even a 5% reduction in body weight can lower androgen levels and significantly curb hair growth.
• If polycystic ovary syndrome is diagnosed, optimize insulin sensitivity with diet, exercise and, if indicated, metformin.
3. First-line pharmacotherapy
• Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) containing estrogen plus progestin suppress ovarian androgen production. Expect at least 6 months before seeing improvement.
• If COCs alone aren’t enough after 6–12 months, add an antiandrogen such as spironolactone (100–200 mg/day) or finasteride (2.5–5 mg/day). These block androgen receptors or inhibit 5α-reductase; ensure reliable contraception due to teratogenic risk.
4. Topical therapy
• Eflornithine cream (13.9%) applied twice daily to the face slows new hair growth; combine with other methods for best effect. Noticeable results take 8–12 weeks.
5. Physical and cosmetic hair removal
• Temporary methods: shaving, depilatory creams, waxing and plucking.
• Longer-term: laser photoepilation or intense pulsed light for dark hair on light skin; electrolysis for lighter hair—both may require multiple sessions and carry cost/side-effect considerations.
6. Refractory or severe cases
• GnRH agonists (e.g., leuprolide) can be used when COCs plus antiandrogens fail, but their hypoestrogenic side effects limit use to the most severe hyperandrogenism.
7. Follow-up and psychosocial support
• Hair growth cycles are slow; re-evaluate every 6 months and adjust therapy.
• Offer counseling or support groups—hirsutism can cause significant distress and impact quality of life.
**Here’s how a classical homeopathic approach tackles hirsutism:
1. Individualized, constitutional case-taking
• Every prescription is tailored to the patient’s total symptom picture—physical, emotional and hormonal.
• By understanding your unique susceptibility (e.g., PCOS, insulin resistance, stress profile), the homeopath selects a remedy aimed at correcting the underlying hormonal imbalance rather than just stripping away the hair.
2. Commonly used homeopathic remedies
• Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens): inhibits conversion of testosterone to DHT, reducing coarse hair growth.
• Thuja occidentalis: indicated when hirsutism is accompanied by cysts, warts or seborrhea.
• Pulsatilla pratensis: helps regulate the menstrual cycle and hormonal swings.
• Sepia officinalis: balances hormones in menopausal or postpartum women, especially those feeling emotionally drained.
• Natrum muriaticum: addresses hormonal/insulin-resistance patterns with weight gain tendencies.
• Calcarea carbonica: for sluggish metabolism, cold extremities and associated hair growth issues.
• Hormone-balancing is often supported with Folliculinum, Hypophyllum or Orchitinum in chronically imbalanced cases.
3. Adjunct lifestyle & dietary support
• Whole-food, low-glycemic diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) to improve insulin sensitivity.
• Regular exercise and stress-reduction (yoga, meditation) to normalize endocrine function.
• Minimize sugar and dairy; consider supplements like omega-3s, vitamin D and probiotics to support hormonal health.
Always work with a qualified homeopath for proper remedy selection, potency and dosage—and allow 4–6 months for gradual, lasting improvement.
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