The presence of terminal hair with a male pattern of distribution in a women is called hirsutism, and is either due to increased androgen production or to increased sensitivity of the hair follicle to androgens. Hirsutism is characterized by excessive hair growth on the face, breasts and belly, and affects about 5 percent of women. It is thought to be related to the body's level of androgens (male hormones). In more than 95% of cases, hirsutism is a benign condition, generally a polycystic ovarian syndrome. When there is no evidence of oligo-anovulation and androgen levels are normal, the diagnosis of idiopathic hirsutism is given.
Cause of Hirsutism
DHEA, testosterone,
androstenedione, and other androgens.
Polycystic ovary syndrome,
see natural ways to treat this condition
Hirsutism Treatment
Hirsutism treatment is threefold: 1) inhibition of androgen
production; 2) inhibition of androgen action and 3) a local treatment. The
brisk apparition and extension of hirsutism, together with signs of virilisation
and high levels of circulating androgens, suggest the presence of a tumor,
extremely rare, but almost always malignant.
Natural Options for Hirsutism
Treatment
Licorice is one option, although licorice should not be taken daily for
prolonged periods without breaks since it can cause low
potassium levels.
Exercise and
weight loss could be
very beneficial.
Spearmint tea may be helpful.
Spearmint tea may help treat excess body hair
Effect of spearmint (Mentha spicata Labiatae) teas on androgen
levels in women with hirsutism.
Phytother Res. 2007 Feb 20; Department of Clinical Biochemistry,
School of Medicine, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.
Mentha spicata Labiatae, known as spearmint and Mentha piperita Labiatae,
known as peppermint can be used for various kinds of illnesses in herbal
medicine and flavoring in industry. Spearmint grows on the Anamas plateau
of Yenithornarbademli town of Isparta, located in southwest part of
Turkey. In this town, clinicians thought that consumption of tea steeped
with spearmint or peppermint caused a diminished libido. Because
antiandrogenic effects of spearmint and peppermint were found previously
in rats, it was decided to observe the effect of this herbal tea on the
androgen levels in hirsute women. Twenty-one female hirsute patients, 12
with polycystic ovary syndrome and 9 with idiopathic hirsutism were
included to the study. They were took a cup of herbal tea which was
steeped with spearmint for 5 days twice a day in the follicular phase of
their menstrual cycles. After treatment with spearmint teas, there was a
significant decrease in free testosterone and increase in luteinizing
hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol. There were no
significant decreases in total testosterone or dehydroepiandrostenedione
sulphate levels. Spearmint can be an alternative to antiandrogenic
treatment for mild hirsutism. Further studies are needed to test the
reliability of these results and the availability of spearmint as a drug
for hirsutism.
Hirsutism Research
Update
Licorice reduces serum testosterone in
healthy women.
Steroids. 2004 Oct-Nov;69(11-12):763-6.
Licorice has been considered a medicinal plant for thousands
of years. The most common side effect is hypokalemic
hypertension, which
is secondary to a block of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 at
the level of the kidney, leading to an enhanced mineralocorticoid effect
of cortisol. We have investigated the effect of licorice on androgen
metabolism in nine healthy women 22-26 years old, in the luteal phase of
the cycle. They were given 3.5 g of a commercial preparation of licorice
(containing 7.6% W.W. of glycyrrhizic acid) daily for two cycles.
CONCLUSIONS: Licorice can reduce serum testosterone probably due to the
block of 17-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17-20 lyase. Licorice could
be considered an adjuvant therapy of hirsutism and polycystic ovary
syndrome.
Hirsutism
Treatment Questions
Q. Is there an herb or vitamin that can help with hirsutism
treatment?
A. There may be, but I am not aware of an herb or
supplement that has been thoroughly tested to be effective as a hirsutism
treatment. Licorice may help, but chronic licorice use may lead to loss of
potassium and high blood pressure.
Hirsutism treatment