Excess Hair Is Treatable
A reproductive endocrinologist may be the last person a woman turns to when she discovers excessive body hair.
A reproductive endocrinologist may be the last person a woman turns to when she discovers excessive body hair. She may first try a dermatologist or cosmetic treatments such as electrolysis.
But reproductive endocrinologist Ricardo Azziz, M.D., says excessive hair could signal health problems, especially if it is coupled with other symptoms like irregular periods, infertility, acne and scalp hair loss.
Four percent of reproductive-age women suffer from a complicated genetic disorder known as polycystic ovary syndrome. The syndrome is marked by excess production of male hormones in the adrenal gland, part of the body’s endocrine system that regulates hormone production.
Azziz is researching possible genetic causes, but says a variety of treatment options are available, such as lasers.
Lasers enable the treatment of large surface areas of excess hair in a short time span, allowing treatment of an entire back, leg or chest in one treatment session.
While in many cases results are excellent compared to existing alternatives, it is easier to induce a growth delay than to induce permanent hair removal.
Currently, FDA-approved methods of hair removal include: the Long Pulsed Ruby Laser; the Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser in combination with a carbon suspension; Long Pulsed Alexandrite Laser; Diode Laser; and the Non-coherent light source.