PCOS To Heredity, 5 Reasons Why Women Might Have Excess Facial Hair

Everyone has facial hair. Some might have fine pale hair, while some have dark thick strands on their beard line, chin, upper lips, neck, and forehead.

Beauty standards are such that women are made to feel ashamed of their facial hair as if it is unnatural. We are conditioned to think that women must have silky, smooth, prepubescent bodies with nary a strand in sight.

While everyone has fine hair, it is the coarse ones that can say a lot about our bodies. Excessive and coarse facial hair in women is a condition called hirsutism. In most cases, it is the excess production of male hormones (androgens), most commonly testosterone, that leads to hair growth. There could be other underlying causes as well.

Here are five reasons why a woman’s body can be producing more male hormones.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

One of the biggest causes of hirsutism is polycystic ovarian syndrome. According to Healthline, it accounts for 85% of the cases. The condition causes benign cysts to develop in ovaries that make hormones go haywire.

It also leads to infrequent menstrual cycles and problems in conceiving naturally. Other symptoms of PCOS include acne, weight gain, skin tags, hair thinning and fertility issues.

Cushing’s Syndrome

It is a hormonal disorder that WebMD defines as the production of high levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. It comes from the adrenal glands and rests on the kidneys. It is responsible for regulating blood sugar, maintaining blood pressure, converting food into energy and soothing inflammation.

However, too much production of cortisol creates hormonal imbalances. Other common symptoms of the condition include weight gain, acne, fatigue, depression, hair thinning, high blood pressure, sleep issues and high blood sugar levels.

Medications

Mayo Clinic says that certain kinds of medications can also cause hirsutism. For example, if a woman is undergoing treatment for endometriosis (a tissue that is supposed to grow inside the uterus, starts to grow outside) can result in high levels of dehydroepiandrosterone and testosterone.

In another case, if the woman’s partner is on medication that contains androgens, it can affect her as well. This could get transferred from skin-to-skin contact and cause a rise in male hormones leading to excessive growth of hair on a woman’s body.

Don't Miss: Women Share Their Experience Of First Periods

Adrenal Gland Disorders

Hirsutism can also be the result of adrenal gland disorders like tumours and cancer. An adrenal tumour can lead to excess production of hormones which can affect blood pressure and sugar levels. It can also cause headache, fatigue, weight loss, irregular periods and weight gain.

Don't Miss: Men Tell Us What Shocked Them About Periods

Other Factors

Family history or ancestry are among the major reasons behind a woman having coarse facial hair. If PCOS runs in the family, it is likely the new generation would also suffer from it.

If we track the ancestral line, women living in the Mediterranean, South Asian, and Middle Eastern countries are more likely to have facial hair. Obesity is also another factor that can increase the production of androgens and lead to hirsutism.

If you experience other physiological symptoms along with facial hair, you must consult a doctor to ensure there is no underlying health condition behind it.

Also Watch