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This Singapore Endocrinologist Shares Tips For Treating Hirsutism

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Portrait of Dr Abel Soh
Dr Abel Soh

March 24th, 2019· 5 min read

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Hirsutism refers to excessive male pattern hair growth seen in women. Whether it's hair growth that develops in the upper lip, limbs, or chin, hirsutism is generally considered an undesirable body characteristic.

However, hirsutism is experienced by women in Singapore more often than you think. In fact, a 20-year-old Human reader mentioned in a post that she had been living with hirsutism for a long time (even though her menses were regular and she didn't have any acne).

She wondered what treatment options were available for hirsutism in Singapore. Endocrinologist Dr Abel Soh responded to her question regarding hirsutism as a condition and how to manage it. Here's what he shared.

Hirsutism can occur in various parts of the body

hairs on a leg

Excessive hair growth in women can be seen in many areas of the body. These include the upper lip, chin, midline chest, upper abdomen, limbs, and even back. It is often associated with acne or male pattern balding. Generally, doctors assess the severity of hirsutism using a clinical score to establish the progress of the condition. [1]

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can lead to hirsutism

epilator parts on a bed

One of the most common causes of hirsutism in premenopausal women is Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) -- a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age which involves experiencing infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone levels. Aside from this (and other less common hormonal causes), certain drugs have, in some cases, also led to hirsutism. [2]

There are typically three steps to treating hirsutism

side view of a person's body with hair

Dr Abel shared the three main phases of treating hirsutism once it's been diagnosed. This includes first treating the underlying cause once it has been identified. Next, cosmetic hair removal methods can be applied (such as shaving, plucking, and waxing). Finally, drug therapy may also be considered in order to reduce the condition's symptoms. [3]

Drug treatment involves managing hormones

a woman with armpit hair

When drug treatment is applied in cases of hirsutism, medication that can regulate female hormones or reduce the effects of the male hormone (testosterone) in the patient's body are implemented. In most instances, drug therapy provides a means of lasting improvement in women with moderate to severe hirsutism. [4]

Ultimately, medical advancement helps us enjoy many solutions to a variety of disorders and hirsutism is no exception. However, it’s important that you actively seek help and professional advice when it comes to treating the condition.

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I hope that you've found this guide useful, and perhaps gained more insight into the application process. Most of the admissions-related information (admin and logistics wise) can be found on the official NUS Faculty of Dentistry website.

To help yourself out, you should take note of what people look for when they look for a dentist.

This article was written by Dr Abel Soh and published on Wednesday, 25 January 2017. Human medically reviewed the article on Wednesday, 25 January 2017. The last update was made on Friday, 18 September 2020.

Disclaimer: Opinions belong to the author and not to the platform.

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