I am 26 years old but still at university. I have always been a hairy person and it really bothers me. I have tried everything, from razors to shaving cream...name it. But the hair on my body grows so fast, and it makes me uncomfortable. My arms and legs look like a man’s - so do my underarms...yet I shave as often as I can. I tried waxing once but I couldn’t take the pain. Isn’t there a way to get rid of all this body hair permanently? What causes it anyway?

Olga

Dear olga

I understand your problem. Excess hair on a woman’s body looks ungainly and is embarrassing. Physical characteristics that define the gender of a person are determined by the hormones estrogens (for feminine features) and androgens for masculine features. 

Every individual as   per his/her gender has these hormones, one in small quantity, and another in large quantity.  Any imbalance in the equilibrium of these hormones can lead to masculinising characteristics in a woman like excess body hair or even feminising features in a man like lack of chin and facial hair.

Excess body hair in a woman, called hirsuitsim, can be due to congenital over activity of the adrenal glands. In this case, excess body hair in a woman starts from puberty.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is yet another condition which causes hormonal imbalance and excess body hair. Tumors of the adrenal glands, prolactinoma, hypothyroidism and pituitary dysfunction are other conditions which result in excess growth of body hair in a woman.

Hirsutisim can also be due to obesity, while losing weight can help improve this condition. Certain drugs like anabolic steroids, corticosteroids, antihypertensive drug like minoxidil and anti epileptic drug phenytoin can cause hirsuitism as a secondary effect. After menopause, due to the change in level of hormones, a woman can grow some hair over the lips and chin which were absent before.

Majority of the conditions causing hirsuitism are associated with one or more of the following; irregular menses, hoarseness of voice, flat breasts, e.t.c and features which may be mild or severe depending on level of hormones.

You need to get hormone assays done. Levels of follicle stimulating hormones, prolactin, estrogens and adrenal hormones can be tested by simple blood tests. Any abnormality found can be treated very well. If obese, try to lose weight by means of low calorie diet and regular exercise.

Shaving definitely removes excess hair but the new hair which grows is mostly thick and coarse. At times after shaving, the hair re-grows rapidly and in greater number. With use of hair removing creams, hair tends to grow again within a week or so and becomes coarse.  Moreover if one has an allergy to the cream, there can be rashes after using it. Waxing is a more suitable option. After waxing, a woman may remain free from excess hair for weeks together. It is painful and in some cases can leave behind minute bumps on the skin.

Electrolysis, the removal of excess body hair by use of electric current, if done by skilled hands gives long lasting hair free skin. Similarly destruction of excess body hair by means of laser rays also gives long lasting and better results, only constraint is the excess cost.

Dr. Rachna is a specialist in internal medicine at Ruhengeri Hopsital