One of the most distressing side effects of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) is known as hirsutism. Pronounced her-soo-tizm, this condition can cause extreme facial and body hair in women, often leading to low self-esteem. Many of us with PCOS do not realize the devastation that imbalanced hormones can cause in our lives. That's why Insulite wants to share with you the natural solutions that can help stop excess hair growth on your face and body, as well as female baldness.

If you or someone you know suffers from excess facial hair, for example, there's a strong chance it's a sign of PCOS, according to a new report. As many as 15% of women and teenage females have excess facial hair and PCOS is the cause in 70% to 80% of cases. The same is true of excess body hair as well as hair loss known as male pattern baldness.

Report author Dr. Rebecca Swingler, a specialist registrar in obstetrics and gynecology at St Michael's Hospital in Bristol, England, says excess facial hair can be particularly upsetting for female teenagers.

Women of all ages worried about excessive facial or body hair should consult their doctor to be tested for PCOS, say researchers.

Estimates of how many females are affected by hirsutism are likely to be under-estimated because some are reluctant to seek help out of embarrassment, adds Dr. Swingler.

In addition to PCOS, rarer causes of excessive facial hair include certain tumors, as well as thyroid dysfunction and the use of some drugs.

This web site includes an abundance of research and detailed information on PCOS-linked hirsutism and how it can affect both excess hair growth and loss. In order to provide you easy choices in learning about PCOS and hormonal imbalances contributing to your condition, we've provided "a Short Version" of the key information to help you more effectively control your PCOS. For those of you who wish to learn more in-depth information on PCOS and excess hair growth/loss please read "The Whole Story" below.

We have also included four boxes (links) that provide a pathway to easily navigate a few key pages on this site. Please choose whichever path is most useful to you.

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"The Short Version"

• Many women with PCOS suffer from excess hair growth on their faces or other parts of their bodies as a result of a condition called hirsutism. Alternatively, women with PCOS may experience hair loss known as male pattern baldness.
• A small amount of testosterone is normal in women. But excess testosterone often results from a disorder called insulin resistance, which prevents your body from responding to normal insulin levels. Insulin resistance often underlies PCOS, causing an imbalance in your hormones which stimulates the ovaries to produce increased levels of male hormones (androgens), especially testosterone. Until testosterone levels are reduced, excess hair growth and male pattern baldness will continue to be a problem.
• Insulin resistance can result in many other health disorders like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
• It's possible to reverse insulin resistance and PCOS in a safe way with the Insulite PCOS System.
  
  

Insulite provides you with the finest, natural approach for improving your condition - a comprehensive system to reverse insulin resistance, PCOS and its multiple symptoms, including excess hair gain/loss. Click the link above to learn "How the System Works for You".

"The Whole Story"

Many of us with PCOS suffer from hirsutism - excess hair growth on our faces or other parts of our bodies. Others with PCOS experience hair loss called male pattern baldness.

Below is one woman's account of living with PCOS-linked hirsutism.

For many PCOS-linked hirsutism sufferers, hair in the mustache and beard areas becomes heavier and darker. With hirsutism, masculine hair on the arms and legs is also possible, as well as hair on the abdomen, chest or back, together with extra growth in the pubic area. High levels of male hormones (androgens), notably testosterone, cause this condition via a hormonal imbalance sparked by PCOS.

Just as heavier hair growth is possible, so is the type of hair thinning that many men experience (male pattern baldness). Small amounts of the male hormone testosterone are normal in a woman. But the high levels of excess insulin sparked by PCOS can stimulate your ovaries to produce large amounts of testosterone, preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg each month and causing infertility, as well as hirsutism and hair loss among many other symptoms.

Symptoms

Hirsutism is excess hair most often noticeable around the mouth and on the chin and neck of women. The major sign of hirsutism is coarse and pigmented body hair, appearing on the body where women don't commonly have hair - primarily the face, chest and back. Other signs may develop over time. This process is called virilization.

Signs of virilization may include:

• Deepening voice
• Balding
• Acne
• Decreased breast size
• Enlargement of the clitoris
• Increased muscle mass

When to seek medical advice

Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you notice any of the following:

• Rapidly growing, unwanted hair on places such as your upper lip, cheeks, chin, neck, midchest, inner thighs or lower back
• Unwanted hair growth associated with irregular menstrual periods
• Male features, such as a deepening voice, balding, increased muscle mass and decreased breast size
• Unwanted hair growth that appears to be worsened by a medication

Women approaching menopause or in the early years of menopause may develop coarse chin or other unwanted facial hair. But this isn't considered hirsutism. Your doctor can help you distinguish between stray hairs that commonly develop at the time of menopause and unwanted excess hair resulting from another disorder like PCOS.

Causes

Until puberty, your body is covered with fine, colorless hairs called vellus hairs. When you begin to sexually mature, male sex hormones called androgens help vellus hairs on certain areas of your body to become dark, curlier and coarser. These are called terminal hairs. Unwanted terminal hair growth in women can result from excess androgens or from an increased sensitivity of hair follicles to androgens.

About half the women with mild hirsutism have high androgen levels. Conditions that can cause high androgen levels include:

• PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). This disorder is caused by an imbalance of hormones that may result in irregular periods, obesity, infertility and sometimes multiple cysts on your ovaries. Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common identifiable cause of hirsutism. A small amount of testosterone is normal in women. But excess testosterone often results from a condition called insulin resistance, which prevents your body from responding to normal insulin levels. Insulin resistance often underlies PCOS, causing an imbalance in your hormones which stimulates the ovaries to produce increased levels of male hormones (androgens), especially testosterone. Until testosterone levels are reduced, excess hair growth and male pattern baldness will continue to be a problem.
  
  
• Cushing's syndrome. Cushing's syndrome is a disorder that occurs when your body is exposed to high levels of the hormone cortisol - a steroid hormone involved in your body's response to stress. It can develop when your adrenal glands - small hormone-secreting glands located just above your kidneys - make too much cortisol. Or it can occur from taking cortisol-like medications over a long period. Increased cortisol levels disrupt the balance of sex hormones in your body, which can result in hirsutism.
  
  
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia. This inherited condition is characterized by abnormal production of steroid hormones, including cortisol and androgen, by your adrenal glands.
  
  
• Tumors. In rare cases, an androgen-secreting tumor in the ovaries or adrenal glands may cause hirsutism.
  
  
• Hypothyroidism. A number of women with PCOS may also have an underactive thyroid gland, called hypothyroidism, which can lead to a reduction of sex hormone-binding globulin and an increase in free testosterone. Free testosterone is one of the factors contributing to PCOS symptoms,including excess facial and body hair. Women with hypothyroidism also are more likely to have velvety, hyperpigmented skin folds called acanthosis nigrans. The thyroid gland is located at the base of your neck in front of your windpipe. It makes, stores and releases two hormones - T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). Thyroid hormones control your metabolic rate, namely the rate at which every part of your body works. If there is not enough thyroid hormone in your bloodstream, your metabolism slows down. This is called hypothyroidism. Symptoms of hypothyroidism may include: fatigue or weakness, weight gain, menstrual problems, lower body temperature, cold extremities, inability to focus, constipation, depression, muscle aches, brittle nails, dry skin, and hair loss. A common cause is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland. Other possible causes are: thyroid surgery or radiation, some drugs, hormone therapy, dietary deficiencies, and exposure to toxic environmental chemicals and metals.
  
  How is Hypothyroidism Diagnosed?
  
  Thyroid disease is diagnosed by your symptoms, an exam and lab tests. Physicians usually screen thyroid function by measuring TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). TSH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, which "reads" the blood passing through it for proper amounts of thyroid hormone. If thyroid hormone levels are low, the pituitary sends out a TSH signal to the thyroid to produce more thyroid hormone. As thyroid hormone production drops, TSH usually increases. Therefore a higher than normal TSH level indicates a hypothyroid condition.
  
  Unfortunately, TSH doesn't always respond correctly to low thyroid hormone levels. If symptoms persist, and the TSH is in the normal range, the thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) should also be checked. In some cases, a diagnosis of hypothyroidism can be missed if TSH is the only hormone that is measured.
  
  There is a growing awareness in the medical community that the current reference range for determining what is a "normal" TSH is too wide. Based on new data, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommends that the normal reference range for the TSH blood test be reduced by nearly half, down to 0.50-2.50 from the current 0.50-5.00. Other sources suggest the new upper range should be 3.33. (The higher the number, the more hypothyroid you are.) Until all physicians and labs can agree on a new range for TSH, many women will continue to be frustrated by inaccurate diagnosis.
  
  You may have undiagnosed mild hypothyroidism which is complicating your PCOS problems - especially if you have a weight problem in spite of consistent efforts with diet and exercise. Remember, thyroid hormones set your metabolic "thermostat". If your metabolic thermostat is set on "low", it can be very difficult to lose weight and avoid cellular sluggishness.
  
  Mild hypothyroidism can be difficult to diagnose and is often overlooked. Proper diagnosis may require: lab tests more extensive than the typical TSH test; a body temperature assessment over a period of time; and a careful assessment of symptoms and medical history. Licensed naturopathic physicians are well qualified to identify subtle hypothyroidism. If you discover that you have an underactive thyroid, and you get it back to optimal function, some of your PCOS symptoms may diminish.
  
  
• Medications. Some medications can cause hirsutism. One such drug is danazol, which is used to treat women with endometriosis, a disorder of the uterus.
  
  

Sometimes, there is no identifiable cause

Excessive hair growth in women with normal androgen levels, regular menstrual periods and no other underlying conditions is called idiopathic hirsutism - meaning that there's no identifiable cause of the disorder. This occurs more frequently in certain ethnic populations, such as women of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and South Asian ancestry.

Risk factors

Several factors may influence your likelihood of developing hirsutism. These include:

• Family history. Several conditions that cause hirsutism, including congenital adrenal hyperplasia and polycystic ovary syndrome, run in families.
• Ethnicity. Women of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and South Asian ancestry are more likely to develop hirsutism with no identifiable cause than are women of other ethnicities.

Complications

Hirsutism can sometimes be emotionally distressing. Some teenage females and mature women feel self-conscious about having unwanted body hair, especially on their faces. Although hirsutism doesn't create physical complications, the underlying cause of a hormonal imbalance can.

Fighting back with a doctor's appointment

Many females start to combat hirsutism by seeing a family doctor. However, you may be referred immediately to a doctor who specializes in endocrine disorders (endocrinologist) or to a dermatologist. Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do:

• Be aware of pre-appointment restrictions. When you make your appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do to prepare.
• Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment. For example, if you've been feeling depressed or fatigued lately, tell your doctor. Also tell your doctor about any other changes in your appearance, such as weight gain or loss, changes in your breast size or muscle mass, new acne, or patches of dark, velvety skin.
• Write down key personal information, including any changes in your menstrual cycle and in your sex life.
• Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins, creams or supplements you're taking or have used in the past. Include the specific name and dose of these medications and how long you've been taking them.
• Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something you missed or forgot.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor. Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For hirsutism, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
  
  
  • What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
  • What are other possible causes?
  • What kinds of diagnostic tests do I need?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • If the first treatment I try isn't effective, what can I try next?
  • How much will treatment improve my physical signs and symptoms?
  • Will I need to be treated long term?
  • What are the possible side effects of the medications you're recommending?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
  • Will the medications you're recommending affect my ability to have children?
  • How will you monitor my response to treatment over time?
  • Are there alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
  • I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • Are there any restrictions I need to follow?
  • Should I see a specialist?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend?
  
  Don't hesitate to ask your doctor any other questions you have about your condition.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:

• When did you begin experiencing symptoms?
• Have your symptoms worsened?
• Has your menstrual cycle changed, or have you stopped having your period?
• Have you gained weight? On what part of your body?
• Do you feel more fatigued or weaker than usual?
• Have you developed new acne?
• Have you noticed dark, velvety patches of skin, especially on your neck, armpits, inner thighs or under your breasts?
• Has the size of your breasts changed?
• Have you noticed a change in your muscle mass?
• Have others commented that your voice has changed?
• Have you noticed any changes in your interest in sex?
• Have you been diagnosed with other medical conditions?
• Has anyone in your family been treated for a condition that causes excess, unwanted hair?
• Are you planning to become pregnant soon?

What you can do in the meantime

If you've scheduled an appointment with your doctor to talk about excessive hair growth, you may already have tried and been disappointed with at-home treatments such as shaving and drugstore wax kits. Because your doctor will want to see your hair growth pattern, it's best to avoid trying new at-home treatments in the days leading up to your appointment. It's natural to feel distressed by the effect the unwanted hair has on your appearance. But in most cases, your doctor will be able to help you find a treatment plan that improves your symptoms.

Tests and diagnosis

Making a diagnosis of hirsutism begins with discussing your medical history. Your doctor may ask you about your menstrual cycles, the time of onset of your symptoms, whether you're taking any medications and whether you have a family history of certain conditions. Your doctor is likely to:

• Perform a physical exam. Your doctor may check your face, neck, chest, breasts, back, abdomen and pelvis for hair growth. He or she may also examine you for other signs of androgen excess and for conditions that can result in a hormonal imbalance.
• Order blood tests. Tests that measure the amount of certain hormones in your blood, including testosterone, may help determine whether your hirsutism is caused by elevated androgen levels.

Further testing

The extent of further testing you'll undergo depends on the severity of your hirsutism and any other associated symptoms. If androgen levels in your blood are elevated, you may undergo imaging tests. These can include:

• Ultrasound. This imaging test uses high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of your body's internal structures. An ultrasound of the ovaries or adrenal glands may be performed to check for tumors or cysts.
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan. A CT scan is a type of X-ray test that provides cross-sectional images of your internal organs. A CT scan of your body may be used to evaluate the adrenal glands.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Self-care methods to remove unwanted body hair include:

• Plucking. Using a tweezers is a way to remove a few stray hairs but is not useful for removing a large area of hair.
• Shaving. Shaving is quick and inexpensive but it needs to be repeated regularly since it removes the hair only down to the surface of your skin. It also encourages hair to grow more strongly.
• Waxing. Waxing involves applying warm wax on your skin where the unwanted hair grows. Once the wax hardens, it's pulled back from your skin against the direction of hair growth, removing hair. Waxing removes hair from a large area quickly. But it may sting temporarily and sometimes causes skin irritation and redness. Hot wax can also burn your skin.
• Chemical depilatories. Generally available as gels, lotions or creams that you spread on your skin, chemical depilatories work by breaking down the protein structure of the hair shaft. Some people are allergic to the chemicals used in depilatories.
• Bleaching. Instead of removing unwanted body hair, some women use bleaching. Bleaching removes the hair color, making the hair less visible. Bleaching may cause skin irritation, so test the bleach on a small area first.

Prevention

Hirsutism generally isn't preventable, though a balanced, nutritious diet and regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight level can help to stop the onset of PCOS and its multiple symptoms, including hirsutism. But if you do have polycystic ovary syndrome, controlling obesity and preventing insulin resistance - a condition in which your body doesn't respond to normal insulin levels - may result in lower androgen levels, including testosterone, and greatly reduced hirsutism. Lean women and females of a healthy weight can also suffer from PCOS, by the way.

Excess insulin is caused by Insulin Resistance. This condition lies at the center of PCOS by preventing the efficient conversion of food into energy because the cell walls have become insensitive to insulin. As a result, glucose and insulin levels in your blood stream become severely unbalanced, leading to an increase in free-floating glucose which is sent to your liver and converted to excess body fat. This can result in weight gain and obesity, which, in turn, may lead not only to PCOS but also to other serious health conditions like Cardiovascular Disease and Type 2 Diabetes.

Because the symptoms vary so widely and not all sufferers display all the symptoms, doctors still very often misdiagnose PCOS. In fact, 8 out of every 10 women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome could have insulin resistance. The end result is that a PCOS sufferer may stop ovulating, gain weight and develop excess hair and skin conditions like acne and brown patches, as well as suffer from decreased sex drive, high cholesterol levels, exhaustion or lack of mental alertness, depression and anxiety. Other symptoms include sleep apnea (problems with breathing during sleeping) and thyroid trouble.

Because there is no single solution that reverses Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or Insulin Resistance, we have developed through our research the most comprehensive and effective system available. We feel you need to rely on a multi-faceted approach to improving or reversing these conditions. What is required is a complete system, including nutraceuticals (vitamins, herbs and minerals that are disease specific), a realistic exercise program, nutritional guidance and a support network that can help you change unhealthy lifestyle choices and address the issues presented by these disorders.

Symptoms of insulin resistance-related polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are targeted by the Insulite PCOS System, which includes an exclusive formula called PCOS+, that can decrease circulating testosterone levels in order to reverse unwanted hair growth.

"I want to thank you for answering all my questions. I am very pleased for your quick response and for the wonderful service you have provided me with. I am happy now that I know what to do and how to help my wife with her problem." -  JG   Orlando, FL

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