Why a Female Will Grow Hair on Her Chin
When a female grows dark, coarse hair on places on her body where hair growth is more common for males, such as her chin, this may be a sign of a condition known as hirsutism, especially if the hair is excessive and noticeable. Most often, when a woman experiences this pattern of male hair growth, it's because she is producing excessive amounts of a hormone called androgen. But there are other reasons that she might get hair on her chin as well that don't have an underlying cause. Does this Spark an idea?
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About Hirsutism
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The amount of body hair differs dramatically from one woman to another. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, between 25 and 85 percent of middle-aged women have removed hair on their face and bodies, but few of them could be described as having hirsutism. But when a noticeable and excessive amount of hair is present in areas of the body where men normally get hair, such as the face, chest and back, this could be considered hirsutism.
Heredity & Ethnicity
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Hair growth on the chin and other parts of the face may simply be inherited, especially if excessive facial hair is noted in other male and female family members. But ethnicity also seems to play a role as well. According to the Mayo Clinic, women of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and South Asian descent have a greater risk of developing idiopathic hirsutism than other females.
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The Role of Androgen
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Growth of hair on the chin is often caused by excessive production of male hormones called androgens, which comprise testosterone and androstenedione. Androgens have a unique effect on the the fine "vellus" hairs on specific areas of a woman's body; the hair becomes coarser and darker (terminal hair), much like it does in men. Terminal hairs on the chin can result when the hair follicles show an increased sensitivity to androgen or when a woman has hyperandrogenism, or excessive androgen production. According to the AOCD, between 5 and 10 percent of all females have androgen disorders. Severe hirsutism is typically due to high levels of androgen production. Women with high androgen levels may also exhibit other masculine traits, such as a deep voice, acne and noticeable muscle mass.
What Causes High Androgen Levels & Hirsutism?
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According to the Mayo Clinic, there are a number of causes of high androgen levels. These include polycystic ovary syndrome, Cushing's syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and, rarely, tumors on the ovaries or adrenal glands. Some medications can also cause hirsutism, such as danazol, which is used to treat endometriosis in women. But use of other medications can result in hirsutism, including testosterone, anabolic steroids, glucocorticoids, cyclosporine, minoxidil and phenytoin.
Treating Hair Growth
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If the underlying cause of hirsutism is addressed, excess hair growth in inappropriate areas can be resolved. A prescription treatment may be appropriate, including birth control pills or anti-androgen medicines, both of which block or inhibit androgen production. For many females, hair on the chin may strictly be a cosmetic concern. One prescription topical treatment, Vaniqa, can be used to retard hair growth on the facial area in women over the age of 12. But if medical treatment isn't warranted, a woman may have to resort to other means to remove or reduce hair on her chin, such as electrolysis or laser hair treatments.
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