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, it 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
Polycystic ovary syndrome,
see natural ways to treat this condition.
DHEA hormone supplements, testosterone hormone use, androstenedione hormone, and other androgens.
Hirsutism treatment
Therapy is threefold:
Inhibition of androgen
production;
Inhibition of androgen action
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,
rare, but almost always malignant.
Natural and alternative
therapy
Exercise and
weight loss could be
very beneficial.
Fennel applied topically.
Caspian J Intern Med. 2014. The effect of fennel
(Foeniculum vulgare) gel 3% in decreasing hair thickness in idiopathic
mild to moderate hirsutism, A randomized placebo controlled clinical
trial. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
was carried out from 2009 to 2011, in Sari, Iran. Forty four women with
mild to moderate idiopathic hirsutism were randomly divided to case and
control groups, each group included 22 cases. The case group received
fennel gel 3% and the control group received placebo. The effect of
fennel gel 3% was defined as reduction of thickness of facial hair in
micrometer by microscope in comparison with placebo. Measurements were
performed at zero time and 24 weeks after treatment. The hair thickness
reduced in patients receiving fennel gel after 24 weeks. Four patients
complained of itching (3 in case group) and 4 patients complained of
irritation and itching (3 in case group). However, this difference was
not statistically significant. The study indicated that fennel gel 3% is
effective in decreasing hair thickness in women with idiopathic mild to
moderate hirsutism.
Licorice is one option, although licorice should not be taken daily for
prolonged periods without breaks since it can cause low
potassium levels.
Inositol supplement could be helpful in reducing signs and symptoms of
hirsutism.
Spearmint tea may be helpful.
Is there an herb or vitamin that can help with hirsutism
treatment?
There have been a few studies with nutrients, herbs and supplements
that have shown potential in offering some benefit but weight loss
should be the primary objective.
Myo Inositol supplement as
natural hirsutism treatment
Treatment of hirsutism with myo-inositol: a prospective clinical study.
Reprod Biomed Online. 2008.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of myo-inositol treatment
in hirsute women. Forty-six hirsute women were evaluated at baseline and after
receiving myo-inositol therapy for 6 months. Body mass index (BMI), hirsutism,
serum concentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides,
apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein(a), serum adrenal and ovarian androgens, fasting
glucose and insulin concentrations were evaluated. No changes in BMI were
observed. The hirsutism decreased after therapy. Total androgens, FSH and LH
concentrations decreased while estradiol concentrations increased. There was a
slight non-significant decrease in total cholesterol concentrations, an increase
in HDL cholesterol concentrations and a decrease in LDL cholesterol
concentrations. No significant changes were observed in serum triglyceride,
apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein(a) concentrations. Insulin resistance was
reduced significantly after therapy. Administration of oral myo-inositol
significantly reduced hirsutism and hyperandrogenism and ameliorated the
abnormal metabolic profile of women with hirsutism.
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.
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
studies
Licorice reduces serum testosterone in
healthy women.
Steroids. 2004.
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.
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.