What It Could Mean If You're Seeing Excess Hair Growth On Your Face And Body

Plucking, waxing, and shaving are all common practices for many women dealing with unwanted hair. But what happens if the level of hair growth increases, or it shows up in new places on your face or body? If you've noticed increased hair growth on your face or body, you may be wondering why. There are many possible reasons as to why the body produces excessive hair. Many wonder if it's their age, their diet, or maybe it's actually stress induced. No matter the cause, excessive hair growth can be an annoyance.

Although the human body is a pretty amazing thing, it can also be quite confusing. As we age our bodies change in interesting ways, and can do so quite differently than our friends and relatives. Just like hair loss can be an upsetting part of life, excessive hair growth where it's unwanted can also wreak havoc on our emotional well-being. If you are experiencing excessive hair in new places, one of the following reasons could be the cause.

A major reason for excessive hair growth (specifically in places men usually experience it) is a disorder known as hirsutism. Hirsutism is stiff or dark hair, appearing on the body where women don't commonly experience hair growth — primarily the face, chest, lower abdomen, inner thighs and back. In most cases, the cause of this disorder is unknown, but it can be due to your body producing too much of the androgen hormones typically found in higher levels in men (via Medline).

There can be many factors that increase one's chances of developing hirsutism. Family history and obesity are two risk factors that play into the disorder. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, up to 8% of women suffer from hirsutism, making it fairly common. Conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome, Cushing syndrome, and even certain medications can be the underlying culprits of hirsutism, so it's best to consult a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment options if you suspect something is wrong.

Another reason you could be experiencing more hair growth than you ever have before could be because you're entering menopause. Even those who have balanced hormones normally can enter a phase of unwanted hair as they begin perimenopause. Perimenopause can come with a host of symptoms and last anywhere from two to 10 years (via John Hopkins). During this time, your estrogen levels decrease, throwing your body, your mood, and your hair growth out of whack. The good news is that this will not last forever, and your hormones will stop working overtime once your body has made the transition.

No matter what the cause is for your excessive hair growth, you should definitely talk to a doctor. While it's most likely due to a hormone imbalance, you'll want to explain all of your symptoms to a trained professional to get the final verdict. Hair growth in interesting places is common as we age, so if this is happening to you, know you are definitely not alone. Once you find out the cause, there are countless hair removal options out there for you to try.