Hirsutism Treatment in South Africa

• After menopause, when a woman’s periods stop, there is a change in the balance of hormones. This can make excess hair more common. However, hirsutism may affect women who have not yet started menopause.
• Excess male sex hormones called androgens, primarily testosterone
• An increased sensitivity of hair follicles to androgens.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
• Genetic make up
• Use of some medications
• Obesity
• Insulin resistance
• Adrenal gland cancer
• Tumors of the ovary
• Cushing’s disease
• Stromal hyperthecosis

The most common symptom when a woman has hirsutism is excessive hair. Excess hair may appear on parts of the body such as the face (the upper lip or chin), chest, neck, tummy usually in a line from your belly button down to your pubic hair, anal and genital area and the front of your thighs. Other symptoms associated with hirsutism include:

• Acne; a skin condition that causes spots to develop on your face, back and chest
• Voice changes such as a deeper voice
• Oily skin
• Hair loss is also known as alopecia
• An enlarged clitoris; the small soft bump in front of the entrance to the vagina
• A receding hair line around the front of your hair

It's important to see your doctor if you have symptoms of hirsutism, especially if the symptoms are severe or unusual. Hirsutism can lead to psychological harm, including embarrassment, lack of self-confidence and depression. Your doctor will assess the severity of your condition by grading the growth of your hair on several parts of your body. He/she will ask you questions to see if there is an underlying cause.

Your doctor will assess ovulation and ovaries through imaging tests such as ultrasound

Your doctor may also order some blood tests. Blood value that may be evaluated in the workup includes:

• 17-hydroxyprogesterone
• Androgens testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate
• Prolactin
• Thyroid stimulating hormone

There is no cure for hirsutism, but there are treatments to manage the condition.

Some medicines that have not been specifically tested for this purpose are known to be effective.

The life cycle of hair is around six months. Therefore, treatment can take this long to work and it is important to start treatment as soon as possible.

Lifestyle changes such as addressing insulin resistance and reducing excessive weight may be beneficial. Insulin resistance can cause an excess of testosterone levels.

• Shaving
• Plucking
• Waxing
• Bleaching
• Electrolysis
• Epillation
• Laser hair removal

In some cases, hair removal methods lead to irritated skin or folliculitis where the hair follicles. Become inflamed. Folliculate usually takes a few weeks to resolve itself and you may have to discontinue hair removal until it clears up.