Hirsutism: When Unwanted Hair in Women Becomes Too Much
Hirsutism is the presence of excessive facial and body hair in females, and can be devastating to people afflicted by this disorder. Hirsutism is caused by a higher level of the hormone androgens, which can be caused by PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), long use of weight-lifting supplements, thyroid disorders, excessive DHEA production, Cushing’s disease, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, tumors, genetics, or side effects of certain medications.
Symptoms of Hirsutism:
Symptoms include excessive facial hair, decreased breast size, enlarged clitoris, deepening of the voice, amenorrhea, acne, and increased muscle mass. There are some natural changes a person can make to help with this condition, besides waxing, shaving, and plucking.
Diet changes can make a huge difference. For one, add ‘alive’ growing foods such as spirulina, wheat grass, barley grass, sprouts, etc. These foods will assist your liver to remove excess hormones from the body. Reduce or eliminate foods that can cause liver congestion such as wheat, dairy, sugar, alcohol, and processed foods. Choose a low-fat diet with natural foods that are estrogen free. Choose vegetable juices over fruit juices to reduce lymphatic and liver congestion. Increase your water intake.
Lifestyle changes can help as well, quit smoking, eliminate or greatly reduce alcohol use, balance hormones, do a liver detox. These changes will take time, maybe even 6 months to see a difference, but if it works, it’s worth it. The time will pass anyway.
Some supplements that have been shown to help include Paeony, False Unicorn Root, Licorice, St Mary’s Thistle, Saw Palmetto, and others. Vitamin B Complex and chromium also help to reduce symptoms. Others I have seen mentioned are Maca Root, vitamin E, and magnesium. If you are interested in a natural approach please discuss these options with your doctor and a respected herbalist, as some medications can decrease the efficacy of these helpers.
None of this information is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, it is simply educational material so that you are well informed of what your options are when you talk to your health care professional.
[Last Updated on June 4th 2014]
