If you experience both hirsutism and menstrual irregularity, it’s wise to have yourself evaluated for polycystic ovary syndrome – a hormonal disorder in which women (and some men) overproduce androgens, leading to an abundance of androgen production that causes enlarged follicles that appear as cysts on ultrasound imaging.
Electrologists specialize in permanently eliminating unwanted hair, such as that associated with PCOS or hormonal fluctuations.
Irregular Menstrual Cycles
Uneven menstrual cycles are common during puberty when hormone levels change rapidly and in the years leading up to menopause. Irregular periods could indicate serious medical issues so it is vitally important that you seek medical advice regarding them as soon as possible.
An irregular period could be attributed to any number of conditions, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This disorder is characterized by an imbalanced set of sexual hormones which leads to abnormal uterine bleeding as well as other symptoms.
Hormonal imbalance can also contribute to premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS refers to a set of physical and emotional symptoms that usually begin within one week before menstruation begins; typically starting on day 13 in most cycles. PMS results from changes in hormone levels and can also be caused by food intolerances, psychological issues or physical conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease.
Ovaries are two female sex glands located in the pelvis that produce estrogen and progesterone, with ovulation occurring around 14th day of a 28-day cycle. Ovulation releases mature eggs from their follicles into one of the ovaries to make way for their release into circulation – often at around noontime on that particular day.
Ovaries can be negatively impacted by issues with the pituitary gland, which produces follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. When damaged or irritated, this gland can interfere with ovulation and worsen PCOS symptoms. Obesity also puts pressure on ovary function: Fatty tissue releases excess estrogen which forces ovaries to overproduce androgens and affect ovulation; exercise can help reduce weight while helping regulate menstruation cycle pain caused by dysmenorrhea; while medications that reduce androgens such as anti-androgen spironolactone may help treat hirsutism as well as normalizing menstruation cycle for some patients with PCOS.
Acne
Some women living with PCOS also suffer from acne as well as an excess of hair growth – known as hirsutism – affecting both their faces, chests, arms, abdomens and thighs with thick, coarse and dark-looking locks that cover thickening skin areas such as arms chest abdomen thighs face chest arms etc.
If a woman is experiencing any of these symptoms, she should consult her physician. Hormonal imbalance is potentially dangerous; without treatment these problems could become even more serious. Their physician will likely prescribe an antiandrogen drug which should improve skin and decrease hirsutism while also eliminating unwanted hair; electrolysis could then provide another means to achieve hair removal.
People suffering from both acne and an abundance of facial hair often develop a pattern where their chin and corners of upper lip become densely covered with hair. This issue can be compounded by repeated irritation to follicles caused by tweezing and waxing, leading to larger diameter hair production as well as ingrown hairs; to address this situation effectively it’s wiser to consult an electrologist than use traditional methods alone.
Electrolysis is an effective permanent form of hair removal for people suffering from hormonal imbalances such as those related to PCOS. The procedure helps make unwanted hair less noticeable while attenuating depression and other negative feelings associated with the condition. If you find yourself dealing with both PCOS and excess hair growth, contact your dermatologist about whether electrolysis would benefit you; they may refer you to an endocrinologist or electrologist who can provide diagnosis and treatment, as well as an electrologist who can permanently eliminate unwanted hair growth.
Hirsutism
Many women with PCOS experience hirsutism, which refers to unwanted facial or body hair growth. While moderate amounts of hair growth is normal, excessive hirsutism could indicate hormonal imbalance due to elevated levels of androgen (male sexual hormone).
First step to treating hirsutism: consulting your physician. If symptoms have recently increased or are new to you, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) should be suspected as a cause. If other signs suggest PCOS such as irregular menstrual cycles and acne persist unchecked by medical professionals, severe health consequences could ensue.
At your appointment, your physician will review your medical history and conduct a physical exam before ordering blood tests to evaluate androgen levels and use an ultrasound machine to examine your ovaries to see if they produce excessive levels. An endocrinologist may then be consulted if necessary.
Hirsutism can be effectively treated through medication. If its cause lies with abnormally high androgen levels, oral and injectable treatments such as testosterone or spironolactone should do the trick; in severe cases ovarian drilling to destroy overproducing androgen cells may be recommended; but this only happens after other treatment options have failed and does not always work. Medication may also help alleviate hormonal imbalances causing hirsutism for women and men without PCOS; when treating such issues it is imperative that patients adhere to their doctors treatment plans so as to ensure the underlying issue is appropriately addressed.
Weight Gain
Women diagnosed with PCOS often exhibit insulin resistance and elevated levels of androgens (male hormones). Insulin, produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar, plays an essential role in managing weight. Abnormally elevated insulin levels in PCOS sufferers can cause them to gain weight quickly while having trouble becoming pregnant; high androgen levels may also wreak havoc with menstrual cycles and hair growth issues; it’s essential that women seeking medical help immediately for symptoms like these consult an endocrinologist (hormone specialist). They will treat symptoms while helping manage and manage conditions better.
Your ovaries are two female sex glands in your pelvis that produce estrogen and progesterone hormones, while your pituitary gland acts as a regulator, secreting follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. When women with PCOS fail to release an egg on time, many ovarian follicles never develop large enough for egg release, leading them instead to accumulate cysts which produce androgens; high levels of which are often responsible for irregular menstrual cycles, acne outbreaks, hair growth hirsutism or weight gain.
Your doctor may order additional tests besides a physical exam, such as pelvic ultrasound. He or she might order blood work to measure your cholesterol, glucose and thyroid functions; urine testing to identify excess androgens such as testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS); questionnaire testing or overnight sleep study in a lab for sleep apnea may also be advised, since untreated sleep apnea increases risk for heart disease, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes; some doctors might prescribe medication that induce ovulation or reduce levels of androgens present within your body.
Depression
Women living with PCOS often suffer from symptoms related to their ovaries as well as depression due to imbalanced hormones causing metabolic disorders that increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and other serious health concerns. Some may develop pre-diabetes or an elevated cholesterol level.
Additionally, this condition can cause menstrual irregularities and heavy or painful periods, or endometrial cancer due to constant exposure of estrogen without progesterone’s balancing effect. A gynecologist may prescribe spironolactone pills to help reduce androgen levels; however, this will not stop hair growth, and so electrolysis or similar procedures may be used instead for permanent removal of unwanted hair growth.
Studies demonstrate how having a positive body image can make us feel better, so anyone experiencing PCOS should adhere to a healthy diet and avoid excess weight gain. Seeking support from friends or family members may also help manage depression more effectively.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome should be addressed promptly as its underlying issues can increase risk for long-term consequences such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Women experiencing these symptoms should seek advice from an endocrinologist (hormone specialist).
