Santa Claus has a full beard that young children like to tug upon to prove he is real. What if Mrs. Claus had a full beard as well? Excessive hair affects 15% of women in the US.
Hirsutism, more commonly known as excessive hair, is a condition in which a woman grows hair in places where typically only men do, such as the face or chest. The condition is caused by the overproduction of androgens, hormones responsible for masculine qualities. Most women affected by hirsutism experience symptoms of this condition during their childbearing years.
Some women don’t seek treatment because they dismiss the condition as hereditary. Oral contraceptives or estrogen replacement therapy may alleviate an underlying hormonal problem. Laser treatments can also help as well, as they can remove the unwanted hair. ¹
¹American Academy of Dermatology Web site. http://www.aad.org/media/index.html. Accessed December 11, 2009.
Copyright © 2006-2010 Logical Images, Inc. All rights reserved.
