Health Tips and Tricks

Question:

I'm l9 and ever since I hit puberty I've had a lot of body and facial hair- I can mask it by bleaching but over the past few years the hair has increased on my neck, stomach and lower back. Although the body hairs are quite fine, I am very self-conscious about the thicker hairs on my face' I wonder why this is happening and whether there are any changes I can make to reduce the hair.

Answer:

There are two types of excess hair growth in women. The first is a generalised increase all over the body, which may be what you have. The other type - hirsutism - is distributed in a male pattern, so females develop a beard and chest hair.

Normally a woman has thick hair on the scalp, pubic region and underarms, and fine hair in moderation all over the body. Trouble starts if the adrenal glands become overactive, due to stress or overstimulation of the pituitary gland (the hormonal headquarters in the brain). The adrenals release male hormones (androgens) that can be converted into testosterone in various cells of the body, which need not be the male testes. So women, who have a little testosterone anyway, may develop more under stressful conditions, or if they have pituitary problems.

The adrenals also release stress hormones. Interestingly, these are mostly male in nature - like testosterone. Evolution designed men for 'fight or flight'. Now that women are suffering the same pressures as men, androgens may be released from the adrenals at the same time as stress hormone gland convert to testosterone a (Vigorous exercise also stimulates the adrenals to release androgens, which can then convert to a form of oestrogen; a useful tip for menopausal women.)

Hirsutism is also a common symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this case, androgens are Produced by the ovaries and also in fat cells. In PCOS sufferers, these male hormones suppress menstruation and cause hair growth.

You must consult your doctor if you think your hormones are unbalanced. Signs of this include irregular periods, acne, rapid weight gain, irritability and mood swings not connected to PMS. You will probably be given blood tests to find out if there are

signs of excess androgen production, although I should warn you that these are not always very accurate in the early stages. If hair growth is accompanied by some or all of these symptoms, it suggests either PCOS or release of androgens from the adrenal glands. Your doctor may prescribe a type of contraceptive pill if your periods are irregular; otherwise testosterone-suppressing drugs may be considered.