hair disorders
skin disorders
Hairiness
Hair growth depends on the balance between male and female hormones. Male hormones stimulate the growth of thick, dark hair. Women normally produce small amounts of male hormones, and men produce small amounts of female hormones. Hirsutism usually results from high levels of male hormones (androgens, such astestosterone) or from increased sensitivity to normal levels of male hormones in the body.Testosteronestimulates hair growth in the pubic area and underarms. Dihydrotestosterone stimulates hair growth in the beard area and hair loss at the scalp. Conditions that tip the hormonal balance in favor of male hormones can cause hirsutism. The balance may be tipped by excess production of male hormones. However, in hirsutism that runs in families (familial hirsutism), women's hair follicles simply appear to be more sensitive to normal levels of male hormones. The most common cause of hirsutism is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) (PCOS) There are many less common causes of hirsutism ( see Table: Some Causes and Features of Hirsutism ): Pituitary, ovarian, or adrenal gland disorders that result in overproduction of male hormones Tumors that produce male hormones (including certain tumors of the ovaries, adrenal glands, lungs, or digestive tract) Use of certain drugs, such as Anabolic Steroids , A familial trait, most often occurring in people of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, or South Asian descent Sometimes after menopause or during pregnancy when hormone balance changes When hirsutism is caused by increased levels of androgens, women often have virilization. Virilization None The voice deepens. Muscle size increases. Hair is lost from the head. The clitoris (the smaller female organ that corresponds to the penis) becomes larger. Menstruation becomes irregular or stops completely. Acne may also develop. Hypertrichosis is caused by disorders that donotaffect the levels of male hormones. The most common causes of hypertrichosis are Certain complications of cancer ( Paraneoplastic Syndromes ) Use of certain drugs, most commonlyminoxidil,phenytoin,cyclosporine, or the prostaglandin eye dropsbimatoprostorlatanoprost A serious systemic disorder, such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection , brain disorders or injuries, Repeated injury to and/or friction or inflammation of areas of skin (for example, an increase in hair growth that is noticed after a cast has been removed from a previously broken arm or leg) Rarely, hypertrichosis is caused by a gene mutation. In such cases, it is usually present at birth. 