What Causes Excessive Body Hair, and What Can Be Done About It?
Mar 01, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Li Ruizhi
Introduction
What causes excessive body hair, and what should be done? Excessive body hair may be a normal physiological phenomenon or could indicate conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or other endocrine disorders. Specific causes include:
1. Normal physiological phenomenon: If no other symptoms are present, it is likely a normal physiological variation. In such cases, laser hair removal may be considered.
2. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Treatment should target the underlying PCOS.
Excessive body hair significantly affects a patient’s outward appearance, causing considerable embarrassment in public settings—especially during summer, when lighter clothing exposes dense underarm hair, severely compromising aesthetic appeal. So, what causes excessive body hair, and how should it be managed? Let’s explore this further.
Causes and Management of Excessive Body Hair
Excessive body hair may represent a normal physiological phenomenon—or it may stem from conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or other endocrine disorders. Specific causes include the following:
1. Normal physiological variation: In the absence of other associated symptoms, excessive body hair may simply reflect normal physiology. In such cases, laser hair removal can be employed to achieve cosmetic improvement. However, individuals with keloid-prone skin are advised against this method and may instead opt for shaving or trimming.
2. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): In women, excessive body hair—particularly on the limbs and trunk—is frequently associated with PCOS, a common gynecological disorder. Treatment targeting the underlying PCOS will typically alleviate hirsutism. Under medical supervision, oral letrozole tablets may be prescribed. In severe cases, surgical interventions such as bilateral ovarian wedge resection may be considered.
3. Endocrine disorders: Excessive body hair may also result from endocrine dysfunction—for instance, thyroid disorders that disrupt sex hormone levels, thereby triggering hirsutism.
Management focuses on treating the underlying condition, which usually leads to improvement in hair growth. Patients are advised to undergo thyroid function testing at a hospital to determine whether they have hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. For hyperthyroidism, antithyroid medications such as methimazole or propylthiouracil may be prescribed under medical guidance. For hypothyroidism, thyroid hormone replacement therapy—including thyroid tablets or levothyroxine sodium—may be administered per physician recommendation.
We hope this information is helpful to you.
