This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/8002579.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Female hairiness health warning | Female hairiness health warning |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Excessive hairiness in women is not just a cosmetic problem but is likely to be a sign of an underlying medical condition, say UK doctors in a report. | Excessive hairiness in women is not just a cosmetic problem but is likely to be a sign of an underlying medical condition, say UK doctors in a report. |
| Five to 15% of women have excess hair, and a hormone disorder is the most likely cause in many cases, they said. | |
| Women with the problem should not be afraid to seek medical advice, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists report urged. | Women with the problem should not be afraid to seek medical advice, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists report urged. |
| Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the cause in 70% to 80% of cases. | Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the cause in 70% to 80% of cases. |
| Report author, Dr Rebecca Swingler, a specialist registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology at St Michael's Hospital in Bristol, said the condition, known as hirsutism, is distressing and can be particularly upsetting for young women. | Report author, Dr Rebecca Swingler, a specialist registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology at St Michael's Hospital in Bristol, said the condition, known as hirsutism, is distressing and can be particularly upsetting for young women. |
| Estimates of how many women are affected are likely to be underestimated because women can be reluctant to seek help, she added. | Estimates of how many women are affected are likely to be underestimated because women can be reluctant to seek help, she added. |
| Often women have spent many years trying to cope with their hirsutism before they seek professional help Dr Rebecca Swingler | Often women have spent many years trying to cope with their hirsutism before they seek professional help Dr Rebecca Swingler |
| In addition to PCOS, rarer causes of excessive hairiness include certain tumours and thyroid dysfunction, as well as the use of certain drugs. | In addition to PCOS, rarer causes of excessive hairiness include certain tumours and thyroid dysfunction, as well as the use of certain drugs. |
| Mild cases can be treated cosmetically, she said, but in moderate to severe cases, hormone therapy, such as the oral contraceptive pill and other treatments are available. | Mild cases can be treated cosmetically, she said, but in moderate to severe cases, hormone therapy, such as the oral contraceptive pill and other treatments are available. |
| Weight loss, especially in obese women, may also help reduce high levels of the male hormone testosterone which can be an underlying factor in cases of excess hair. | Weight loss, especially in obese women, may also help reduce high levels of the male hormone testosterone which can be an underlying factor in cases of excess hair. |
| "Often women have spent many years trying to cope with their hirsutism before they seek professional help," said Dr Swingler. | "Often women have spent many years trying to cope with their hirsutism before they seek professional help," said Dr Swingler. |
| "Women need to look at themselves in the context of their family and ethnicity and what is 'normal' for them. | "Women need to look at themselves in the context of their family and ethnicity and what is 'normal' for them. |
| "If they notice a change in the pattern of hair growth or they notice they having to wax more often then they should seek help," she said. | "If they notice a change in the pattern of hair growth or they notice they having to wax more often then they should seek help," she said. |
| Reluctance | Reluctance |
| Professor Stephen Franks, an expert in reproductive endocrinology at Imperial College London, said the condition could be very embarrassing and women might be reluctant to seek medical advice. | Professor Stephen Franks, an expert in reproductive endocrinology at Imperial College London, said the condition could be very embarrassing and women might be reluctant to seek medical advice. |
| They may also not realise hirsutism could be linked to a condition like PCOS because symptoms such as irregular periods are not present, he added. | They may also not realise hirsutism could be linked to a condition like PCOS because symptoms such as irregular periods are not present, he added. |
| "It's always worth getting it investigated. Even if it's a benign condition." | "It's always worth getting it investigated. Even if it's a benign condition." |
| Professor Franks said how much hair growth was considered excessive was subjective, but that women should not be afraid to seek help. | Professor Franks said how much hair growth was considered excessive was subjective, but that women should not be afraid to seek help. |
| Rachel Hawkes, chairwoman of PCOS charity Verity, said many women with excess hair growth did not actively seek treatment because they were embarrassed. | Rachel Hawkes, chairwoman of PCOS charity Verity, said many women with excess hair growth did not actively seek treatment because they were embarrassed. |
| "The effect that excess hair can have on a woman's self-esteem and how she views herself as a woman - and therefore her quality of life - can be extremely distressing. | "The effect that excess hair can have on a woman's self-esteem and how she views herself as a woman - and therefore her quality of life - can be extremely distressing. |
| "We recommend women with PCOS who suffer with excess hair growth seek the advice of their GP, or ask to be referred to an endocrinologist or dermatologist." | "We recommend women with PCOS who suffer with excess hair growth seek the advice of their GP, or ask to be referred to an endocrinologist or dermatologist." |