Hirsutism - is a disorder in which women begin to grow facial hair (for example, on the upper lip and chin), on the chest, waist and buttocks. The causes of hirsutism can be an excess of male hormones The excess of male sex hormones - than it threatens?   (androgens) in women, and increased sensitivity to androgens. In most cases, hirsutism is diagnosed in women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome.

Before menopause hirsutism develops, on average, have 1-3 women out of 20. After the menopause, due to changes in the balance of hormones, excess body hair growth occurs much more frequently. Among postmenopausal women hirsutism (usually manifested in the growth of facial hair) develops in about three out of four. Hirsutism in women of this age group is also called gipertekoz ovaries.

Fully cured of hirsutism is impossible, but there are several methods to control the symptoms of this disorder. As a rule, there are different means for removing and bleaching hair, although some of them may lead to irritation of the skin and hair follicles. Used hormonal and other drugs. Since the duration of the life cycle of hair is about six months, the therapy can take a long time, so it should begin as soon as possible. Below, we talk more about the means used to treat hirsutism.

Hirsutism can have a significant psychological impact on people - especially if hair starts growing on your face. Sometimes this leads to a decrease in quality of life, causing self-doubt, and some patients in addition to conventional treatment, you may need psychological help Psychological help: to understand their own rubble ... .

The symptoms of hirsutism

Hirsutism is excessive hair growth on the body and face - in most cases, thick, dark and very visible. Unwanted hair while abuse can grow on these parts of the body:

• Chin;
• The skin above the upper lip;
• Neck;
• Chest;
• Belly - usually appears a strip of hair leading from the navel to the pubis;
• Genitals and perineum;
• The front of the thighs;
• Buttocks.

In addition to the excessive growth of hair, hirsutism can cause other symptoms, such as:

• Oily skin;
• Acne (acne and pimples usually appear on the face, back and chest, and sometimes in other parts of the body);
• Alopecia (hair loss male pattern - in the first place is usually started losing his hair around the forehead, and the line of hair growth retreats);
• Enlargement of the clitoris;
• Change voice - usually the voice becomes lower.

Causes of

The primary cause of hirsutism is the effect of male hormones. These hormones are in any woman's body, but in the development of hirsutism are either produced in too large quantities, or the body becomes overly sensitive to their action.

Androgens

There are several different types of androgens, the most famous of which is testosterone. In men, testosterone is involved in processes such as the formation of sperm, as well as the development of the typical male sexual characteristics such as deep voice, increased body hair, and so on. This hormone in small amounts is also found in the female body, where it performs the following functions:

• Increases libido;
• It affects the menstrual cycle;
• It does not fertility.

Approximately half of the women suffering from hirsutism, the level of testosterone in the blood is completely normal.

Other male sex hormones DHEA and androstenedione are - a precursor of testosterone, that is the substance that the body converts into testosterone.

Reasons for the female body elevated androgen levels may be different, depending on a woman's menopause occurred or not.

Causes of hirsutism in women before menopause

Polycystic ovary syndrome. In most cases, increasing androgen levels and hirsutism in women before menopause are caused by a disorder known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is a disease in which the surface of the ovaries (the pair of female reproductive system, which produced sex hormones and eggs) are formed are small but numerous cysts (cavities in the ovarian tissue, fluid-filled). Along with hirsutism PCOS can cause the following symptoms:

• Irregular menstrual cycles;
• Weight gain;
• Acne.

Many women who suffer from PCOS, there is an imbalance of male sex hormones, such as elevated levels of testosterone, but the reason for this is unknown.

Increased sensitivity to androgens. About a quarter of women with hirsutism level of male sex hormones within the normal range. Experts believe that if androgen levels are not elevated, cause hirsutism may be overly sensitive to male sex hormone. This means that although the level of male sex hormones remains the same, they are for some reason, begin to exert on the body a more dramatic effect, which leads to such consequences as hirsutism.

Other reasons. In a rather rare causes of hirsutism before menopause may be:

• Cushing's syndrome - a rare hormonal disturbance Hormonal disorders - oversupply and a lack of equally dangerous Which produces a sharp increase in weight and strong bloating;
• Congenital hyperplasia Hyperplasia - do not be afraid   adrenal cortex - a hereditary disease that affects the adrenal glands (paired glands of the endocrine system, which produced steroid hormones, as well as female and male sex hormones);
• Tumors that produce androgens;
• Drugs - such as anabolic steroids, which some athletes uncontrollably used to increase muscle mass and improve athletic performance;
• Acromegaly - hormonal disorder in which the body produces too much growth hormone, which causes abnormal growth of the hands, feet, and sometimes other parts of the body;
• Being overweight or obese. Patients suffering from hirsutism and obesity is generally recommended to take measures to reduce weight.

Approximately 10% of the causes of hirsutism can not be identified. Such violations have a common name - idiopathic hirsutism.

Causes of hirsutism in women after menopause

It is believed that the menopause, women have not yet been menstruation, at least for one year. During menopause, the body there are various hormonal changes that can cause symptoms such as hot flashes, mood changes, and so on. Some patients after the reduction of female sex hormones testosterone level is high enough, and it sometimes becomes a cause of hirsutism.

The most common complaint for thrush is itching. It can be of varying intensity and in some cases leads to neurological problems (malaise, irritability Irritability - you try to control my temper , Nervousness, insomnia). In this situation, the timely appointment of antimycotic therapy reduces the severity of itching and the subsequent recovery.

Itching as a manifestation of fungal infection

If a woman complains of itching, it can be assumed that it has a fungal infection. After a comprehensive survey with mandatory laboratory testing, the diagnosis of thrush can be confirmed or ruled out. Particular attention is paid to laboratory diagnosis, because it makes it possible to confirm the presence of fungal flora, as a direct causative agent. Intense itching indicates the presence of acute inflammation. In chronic course of the disease is intense itching, increased during exacerbations of thrush or action of provoking factors. To diagnose the yeast should be a combination of three of the following symptoms:

• itch
• allocation cheesy nature
• the presence of local signs of inflammation during the pelvic exam Gynecological examination: an important component of women's health   woman on the couch
• laboratory confirmation of the presence of fungal flora in the capture of material for research

Considering that the development of yeast infections in women may contribute to diseases of the endocrine system, it is necessary to include laboratory tests on blood glucose. Very often at high numbers of blood glucose woman experiences discomfort or itching in the genital area. For this reason, if a woman complains of itching, he should be excluded from her serious endocrine disorders and should be evaluated by an endocrinologist.

How to get rid of the itch

Effectively get rid of the itching can be integrated in the appointment of antifungal therapy .  At the forefront of the local means of exposure .  These include not only the spark, but gels, ointments, creams .  It is a convenient form for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis is a gel form .  This is due to the fact that in this way the drug is completely dissolved in the vaginal secretions .  It is evenly distributed along the walls of the vagina, so it does not follow out and create the most high therapeutic concentrations directly in the inflammation .  Quickly enough, you can reduce the appearance of itching during treatment with vaginal gel Candida .  With a special applicator gel is administered daily in the evening in the vagina for six days .  In this preparation there is a form of vaginal tablets, which also help to get rid of the itch .  They should try to enter deep into the vagina to the active substance had a therapeutic effect .

Effective means are creams and ointments with antifungal activity. The cream is applied directly to the genital area with a thin layer a few times a day, and inserted into the vagina with a tampon How to use sanitary pad - basic precautions   or applicator. In the treatment of thrush, you can use creams that contain the following medicines:

• clotrimazole (1% cream)
• butoconazole (2% cream in the applicator for single administration)
• tioconazole (6 Ointment, 5%)

A good addition to the treatment can be recommended to use solutions or infusions of herbs. Use of chamomile, clove Carnation: exquisite aromatherapy , Barberry can reduce the severity of itching and achieve clinical cure.

Marina Solovyov