Breaking Down Hirsutism: Female Facial Hair Explained

A beard is a common desirable feature among men. A man with a beard is often portrayed to be confident, dominant, and attractive. According to a study by the Journal of Evolutionary Biology (Volume 29 Issue 11) Female preferences on an attractive man is related to facial hair. With this paradox, you can tell that society associates beards with men. Generally, for a minute, it looks like a figment of one’s imagination. Come to think of it. What of the women with beards?

Case Scenarios 

1. Kenya 

Teresiah Mumbi; tout was enroute to Kayole on 25th May 2018. She was arrested and taken to a cell. To confirm her gender, she was forced to strip naked by female police officers to confirm her gender. Why ? Teresiah has facial hair. She had to confirm that “she is not a man” despite her evident feminine features. In the bizzare incident; the officers demanded that she spreads her legs apart. In Teresiah’s words, she stopped shaving beards since they were very itchy. Teresiah states that she even stopped working because of her facial hair. 

2. South Africa 

Khosi Nkanyezi Buthelezi, 43 is a South African woman who confidently lives with beards. In her own words, “I have embraced my look confidently,” Khosi washes and maintains her beard mane.  However, She has been subjected to bullying, recalling one she was told she deserves a penis because of her looks. 

        3. England 

Harnaam Kaur from Slough, Berkshire is a model with a six-inch long facial hair. She boasts of having a Guinness World Record as the youngest woman with a full beard. 

“I was imprisoned in my bedroom,” is what Harnaam would describe her teenage years.  She compared herself to women on Magazines and her age mates. Reminiscing on how she looked down on herself ; comparing her mate’s having boyfriends with herself in what she dimmed herself as an ugly duckling. However, Mrs Kaur realized that she was doing more harm than good to herself. She started gaining confidence and loving herself : embracing her beard and not wanting to look like other women. 

Why do these women have beards? 

Hirsutism is a condition where women have excessive hair growth in areas where men typically grow hair. These areas include the face, chest, and back. It is often caused by an excess of male hormones called androgens, including testosterone. 

Hirsutism can be related to underlying conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Cushing’s syndrome, or certain medications. 

PCOS is characterized with Irregular periods, excess hair growth

It is estimated that 8-13% (WHO) of reproductive aged women are diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. What is this ? Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects a woman’s hormone levels. It causes hormonal disorder in women during their reproductive age. Here, the woman produces a high amount of androgens (male hormones)

PCOS is characterized with Irregular periods, excess hair growth -Hirsutism, Difficulty in getting pregnant, gaining or difficulty in loosing weight and cysts in ovaries. 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a major cause of Hirsutism that is Women having hair growth in places normally men grow hair. 

Statistics 

Apart from excess production of male hormones, (Androgens) Women with PCOS have high levels of Estrogen, Luteinizing hormone, Insulin and anti-Müllerian hormone.

According to the World Health Organization, up to 70 per cent of women remain undiagnosed globally. The condition runs in families — PCOS is generic. However, there are environmental factors that cause the condition. 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is among the number one caused of infertility among women as 

The Psychological Burden 

Women with beards are often subject to negative body image, Depression, and anxiety. They also face social stigma affecting their relationships, work family and general societal involvement. 

A cross-sectional study by the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology : shows the psychological and financial impact of facial hair among women living with Hirsutism. 

The result concluded a large effect of physiological impact on the females with laser therapy, posing a significant financial burden. 

The pressure to get rid of the hairs has prompted women to go for permanent methods like Laser Hair removal.

Treatment 

With Hirsutism being a major symptom of PCOS, women with excessive hair have tried to curb the condition. The women use traditional methods e.g. shaving, plucking, bleaching. The pressure to get rid of the hairs has prompted women to go for permanent methods like Laser Hair removal. However, in some cases, the procedure only curbed the hair for sometime as the hair grows back. 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Is rather managed, but not cured. It typically involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and treatment aimed at addressing specific symptoms. It is important to note that PCOS affects each individual differently, hence management differs from individual to individual. 

• Lifestyle Changes

   — Diet and Exercise which help with weight loss. It also helps regulate insulin levels, which can reduce androgen production and improve menstrual regularity.

  — A diet low in refined carbohydrates and high in fibre can help manage insulin resistance. 

• Medications

   — Birth Control Pills:  Hormonal contraceptives, such as birth control pills, can regulate menstrual cycles, reduce androgen levels, and help with symptoms like acne and hirsutism.

   — Anti-Androgens:  The Medications can block the effects of androgens and reduce excessive hair growth and acne.

   — Fertility Medications: For women trying to conceive, medications may be used to stimulate ovulation. In some cases, assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be recommended.

• Treatment for Specific Symptoms

   — Hirsutism and Acne: In addition to medications, treatments like laser hair removal, electrolysis, or topical creams can help manage excessive hair growth. Acne may also be treated with topical or oral medications.

• Mental Health Support

   — PCOS can be associated with anxiety, depression, and body image issues. Counselling or therapy are beneficial for managing mental health challenges.

• Regular Monitoring

   — Since PCOS can increase the risk of developing other conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease, regular monitoring by a healthcare provider is essential. This may include blood sugar tests, cholesterol screenings, and blood pressure checks.