The condition in which women grow coarse hair on their face or body in a manner similar to that of men is called ‘Hirsutism’. This is mainly due to hormonal changes. The main causes are:
PCOS/PCOD: The most important cause of unwanted hair growth in women is polycystic ovary syndrome. This increases the level of the male hormone ‘androgen’ in the body and causes hair to grow on the face, chest and abdomen.
Hormonal changes: Excessive production of androgen hormone due to problems in the adrenal glands leads to hair growth. Hormonal changes during menopause can also be a cause.
Insulin resistance: When insulin does not work properly in the body, it stimulates the ovaries and causes them to produce more androgen hormone. This causes hair growth and obesity.
Medications: Steroids or hormone-containing medications used for certain treatments can cause unwanted hair growth as a side effect.
Genetics: If someone else in your family has this problem, it is likely to be passed on to the next generation. Some ethnic groups naturally have more hair growth.
