Hirsutism
Hirsutism is a condition affecting women where there is excess hair growth due to over activity of testosterone acting on hair follicles. It causes the growth of hair in the beard and moustache distribution, and also on the chest and the lower part of the abdomen between the umbilicus and the pubis - a so-called male escutcheon. It may be part of the polycystic ovary syndrome(see disorders of the ovaries in the female genitalia section), and can occur in association with treatment using steroids, but the vast majority of cases are of uncertain origin. Testosterone in women is mostly made in the adrenal gland, and it may be that there is a slight excess being made, or it may be that they have follicles are more sensitive. There may be genetic factors - some races, such as those bordering the Mediterranean, have more body hair: the Chinese, by contrast, have very little. Hair which is an embarrassment can be removed by various means. If the cause is the production of too much testosterone than there are agents available to reduce its effects.
|
