Hirsutism

The hirsutism is the appearance of a Pilosité of the male type in normally glabrous zones at the Femme (Visage, Cou, Thorax, white line, areas fessières and Intergénitocrurales). The hairs of the body push according to a male model (hairs androgenic) and it is especially subject of a cosmetic and psychological concern. The hirsutism is a symptom rather than a disease but can be the sign of a more serious medical indication, especially if it develops well after the Puberté.

Causes

The cause of the hirsutism can be is an elevated level of androgens (male hormones) or an over-sensitiveness with the androgens of the follicules of the hairs. Male hormones as the testosterone stimulate the growth of hairs, increase their length and accentuate their pigmentation. Other symptoms associated with an elevated level with male hormones include the acne, of the irregular rules, a more serious voice and an increase in the muscular mass.

It seems well that elevated levels of Insuline accompany among women the development by the hirsutism. This theory agrees with the observation that the obese women (which one can suppose that they are hyperinsulinemic and resistant to insulin) have a high risk to become hirsutes. In addition, the treatments which lower the insulin levels bring a reduction of the hirsutism.

It is thought that insulin, with a sufficiently high concentration, stimulates the cells thécales ovariennes to produce androgens. There can also be an effect of the insulin elevated levels which activate in these same cells the receiver of the growth factor “I” similar to insulin (IGF-1). What consequently increases the production of androgens.

A study suggests that the way of getting dressed can also influence the abundance of the hairs without being able however to cause the hirsutism.

Here some diseases suitable for increase at a woman the level of male hormones, normally low:

• Syndrome of Stein-Leventhal

• Syndrome of Cushing
• Tumor S of the ovary S or the glands suprarenals (cancer)
• Certain medications
• Hyperplasie surrénalienne congenital

See too

• Woman with barb

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