6 Most Common Causes Of Unwanted Facial Hair

Many women suffer from excessive hair growth on areas such as the face, back, thighs, and pubic areas. The condition in women characterized by dark coarse hair in male-like pattern is medically known as hirsutism.

Hirsutism is a common presentation in dermatological settings mainly for cosmetic reasons. It often causes emotional stress, anxiety, and depression in women as it is an unwanted cosmetic issue.

Hirsutism is the most prevalent endocrine disorder among women in the United States and affects around 10% women in most populations.

# Increase in androgen levels

The most common cause of hirsutism is the increased production of androgens, which may result from:

- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Tumors in the ovary or adrenal glands
- Non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia

# Endocrinological problems

While not very common, endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, hyperprolactinemia, and acromegaly can cause hirsutism, among other symptoms.

# Medications

Hirsutism is a common side effect of estrogen antagonists, cyclosporine, diazoxide, androgens, danazol, interferon, and phenytoin.

However, in many cases, these drugs may cause hypertrichosis, which results in excessive hair growth in patches or all over the body in both men and women, as opposed to hirsutism, which is male-pattern hair growth in females.

# Menopause

Discontinuation of ovarian estrogen production post menopause can result in mild hirsutism.

# Pregnancy

Prolactin secretion during pregnancy can also cause mild hirsutism.

# Idiopathic hirsutism

Idiopathic hirsutism refers to cases with an unknown cause. Idiopathic causes make up to 10% of the total cases of hirsutism.