Dr. Vandana Gulati

Homeopathy Treatment for Hirsutism

Hirsutism/Abnormal Hair Growth

Hirsutism is abnormal hair growth in women which occurs on the face, chest, abdomen, back, thumbs and toes. Hirsutism is usually related to an increase in androgens, or male hormones. Hirsutism concerns the areas which are sensitive for male hormones.

 

In Hirsutism there is a presence of excessive terminal hair in androgen-dependent areas of a woman´s body. It has to be differentiated from hypertrichosis, which is usually familial in nature and associated with an endocrine dysfunction – such as thyroid dysfunction – or with medications such as phenytoin or minoxidil.

 

Hirsutism is a common disorder, which affects up to 10% of women between the age of 18 and 45 years.

 

Approximately 95% of hirsute women are believed to suffer from persistent anovulation, also known as polycystic ovary syndrome or Stein-Leventhal syndrome.

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Causes of Hirsutism

The Causes of Hirsutism are as follows:-

 

Hormonal imbalance: – the various causes of hormonal imbalance which result in Hirsutism are as under:-

  • Cushing’s syndrome – defined as excess secretion of steroids including androgens
  • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia – An enzyme deficiency leading to excess production of androgen
  • Acromegaly – Excess growth hormone and insulin resistance
  • Hyperprolactinemia – Increased prolactin levels
  • Hypothyroidism – There is a decrease in the thyroid hormone levels
  • Polycystic ovarian disease – This is an ovarian disease with multiple cysts and increased blood androgen levels
  • Obesity

Tumors: – Tumors of the ovaries and the adrenal glands secrete excess hormones including androgen. The various causes are as under:-

  • Ovarian tumors
  • Arrhenoblastoma
  • Gonadoblastomas
  • Lipoid cell tumors
  • Dysgerminoma
  • Brenner’s tumor
  • Granulosa -theca cell tumors
  • Adrenal tumors
  • Adrenal adenoma
  • Adrenal carcinoma

Drugs:-the various drugs which are responsible for Hirsutism are:-

  • Minoxidil
  • Phenytoin
  • Cyclosporine
  • Diazoxide
  • Androgens
  • Oral contraceptives  – containing progesterone
  • Penicillamine
  • Heavy metals
  • Acetazolamide

Miscellaneous cause: – the various other causes of Hirsutism are:-

  • Syndromes of excessive insulin resistance
  • Functional adrenal hyperandrogenism
  • Hypereactio luteinalis of pregnancy – transient increase in androgen levels during pregnancy
  • The coma of pregnancy – Transient androgen secreting tumor during pregnancy
  • True hermaphroditism – condition where both male and female internal sex organs are present

Signs and Symptoms of Hirsutism

  1. The first sign/symptom of Hirsutism is the abnormal hair growth in the following location:-
  • Face (particularly, moustache, beard, and temple areas)
  • Chest
  • Areolae
  • Linea alba
  • Upper back
  • Lower back
  • Buttocks
  • Inner thighs
  • External genitalia
  1. Other accompanying signs and symptoms may include some of the following:
  • Temporal hair recession
  • Oily skin
  • Masculine voice
  • Well-developed musculature
  • Enlargement of the clitoris (>35 mm2 in surface area)
  • Irregular menses
  • Psychological changes (e.g. heightened libido, aggressiveness)
  • Palpable abdominal tumors
  • Acanthosis nigricans – a skin pigmentation in the arm pits indicating insulin resistance

Diagnosis of Hirsutism

The diagnosis of Hirsutism includes the following steps:-

 

  • Physical examination for the confirmation of diagnosis
  • Hormonal evaluation for confirmation and finding the cause
  • Imaging studies for finding the cause like x-ray/ultrasonography.

Diet of Hirsutism

Good dietary and nutrition decisions can lead to improvement in Hirsutism. Eating antioxidant foods such as blueberries, cherries, tomatoes, squash and bell peppers are general health decisions that may help to balance the body’s hormonal system and bring symptoms like Hirsutism back in line.

Refined foods, such as white breads, pastas and sugar should be avoid

Treatment of Hirsutism

Unwanted, Excessive hair growth in wrong places is a frequent and common complaint among women nowadays. Hairiness over face, limbs, chest and abdomen could be a heavy burden, both psychologically and socially, since society sets impossibly high standards for feminine beauty.

 

Homeopathy can combat Hirsutism effectively.

 

Homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathic medicines are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution etc. A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) is also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions.

 

Hormonal pills actually make the hormone producing glands lazy as the body starts depending on externally introduced hormones. Gradually the glands stop functioning altogether with increased need for externally introduced hormones.

 

In contrast a well selected homeopathic remedy has the capacity to correct hormonal imbalance by stimulating the glands to secrete various hormones in the required manner. Homeopathy is the fingerpost on the cross-roads of healing which directs the way to safe and permanent cure.

How Homeopathy helps in Treating Hirsutism

  • Homeopathic medicines firstly reduce the side effects of allopathic hormonal pills.
  • Homeopathic medicines act on the various glands to produce the hormone in the required manner. Gradually the hormonal level becomes normal. Homoeopathic medicines have dynamic action in revitalization and regulation.
  • As the hormonal levels are within the normal limits the abnormal hair growth stops.
  • Homeopathic medicines help in the reduction of weight which secondarily lowers the level of androgens which are responsible of abnormal hair growth.
  • Homeopathic medicines correct the genetic predisposition to the disease.