Women Facial Hair

What are the reasons for woman facial hair?
(20 Apr 2007)

(Only for registered users! Login OR Sign Up in just 30 seconds)

Excessive facial hair in women is usually the result of hormonal imbalances. There are many causes attributed to the growth or increase in facial hair. Facial hair among women may not necessarily be due to a serious imbalance of hormones, but it is always a good habit to get it checked with a medical practitioner.

Aging women often experience facial hair as a side effect of aging or it due to the increased sensitivity of hair follicles. Obesity and stress are other reasons attributed to facial hair growth in women.

To understand the reason behind facial hair it is important to know about the hormones causing it.

Hormones known as androgens comprise of testosterone that is usually the cause of facial hair growth. Both adult males and females have certain levels of testosterone in their body; however men tend to possess 10 times more testosterone than in women. At puberty, a woman’s level of testosterone is at its highest. Thereafter the levels decrease until menopause. Although, the levels of testosterone are very low after menopause, the hair follicles continue to remain hyperactive and generate hair, thus resulting in the growth of facial hair in women. Menopause often creates hormone imbalances and unwanted hair growth for most women. During menopause, the proportion of male hormones, androgens to estrogen may change, and this can produce a mild increase in facial hair.

Another common medical reason for facial hair is the overproduction of secretion from the androgens. One particular syndrome that needs to be checked and ruled by women experiencing facial is polycystic ovarian disease or PCOD. PCOD is believed to be one of the most common causes for facial hair in women. The syndrome is connected to excessive androgen production where the estrogen levels are reduced and the testosterone or androgen levels are increased. In such a scenario facial hair appears on the upper lip and chin. In women with PCOD, facial hair tends to appear thicker and darker.

Genetic endowment and also plays an important role in some women as one of the causes for facial hair growth in women. Some women with thick hair growth on the face and body usually have a hereditary background of thick hair growth in either one of the parents. In some families, heavy facial growth is quite common.

It is strongly advised to consult a gynecologist to check for abnormalities causing facial hair growth in women. Do not resort to any folk remedial treatment for treating facial hair without determining the cause of it from a medical expert. A medical practitioner is the final authority in suggesting the necessary treatment for the condition.

answered by M W on 22 Apr 2009, 12:44:15

All women have facial hair, but the extent and the cause for the extent vary. A teenage girl will have a very fine line of facial hair, but this tends to increase as the girl reaches her puberty and later during menopause.

Heredity; genetics dictates the amounts and thickness. (If your mother or grandmother had it, there are likely chances of you having it too).
Hormonal imbalance; an imbalance in estrogen (female hormone) and androgen (male hormone). When the later tend to increase, facial hair also tends to increase.
PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome); one of the symptom of PCOS is growth of facial hair especially on chin and upper lips.
Certain medications with the hormone testosterone.
Hormonal changes taking place after menopause is also a cause for facial hair.

answered by S P on 23 Apr 2007, 9:39:02

Women Facial Hair

What are the reasons for woman facial hair? (20 Apr 2007)

What are the reasons for woman facial hair?
(20 Apr 2007)