What is Hyperandrogenism?

Have you ever thought about why women sometimes have thick facial hair? We don’t read deep into it generally. However, what if it was masking a bigger health issue? So what is Hyperandrogenism? It is a medical condition wherein women have higher levels of male hormones or androgens. A small amount is present in women, but a surplus could lead to a bunch of effects- both psychological and physiological. It affects 5-10% of women of reproductive age— PCOS being the most common cause. A delay in diagnosis could further be a stressor for women.

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The Physical Symptoms

These symptoms are usually the first to get noticed and are most apparent. Some of them are:

1. Excess hair growth: Women with excess androgens can grow thick and coarse hair on their chin, abdomen, back, etc. which further leads to self esteem issues, social anxiety and a series of pursuits to remove these hair.

2. Breakouts and skin challenges: Androgens often lead to excess oil production, which is an ideal ground for bacterial growth, leading to breakouts and acnes. It is not only persistent and inflammatory, but also painful and a constant source of discomfort.

3. Severe hair loss: Alopecia and hair loss are very common with this condition. This can be recognised as thinning on the crown and frontal scalp. Hair loss can significantly impact women’s self confidence by distorting their perceptions of femininity and beauty.

4. Menstrual health: Women with Hyperandrogenism can suffer from infrequent or absence of periods. The lack of ovulation could be a major cause of loss of fertility and inability to conceive. This can put a lot of mental strain and emotional pain on women.

5. Metabolic symptoms: Women with Hyperandrogenism are usually at risk of type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and cardiovascular diseases due to increased insulin resistance. This adds another layer of distress to their lives.

The Psychological Toll

While it is easier to spot the physical symptoms, it can be equally difficult to see the psychological consequences. They look something like:

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1. The Weight of Appearance: When a woman’s ideals of femininity and beauty are shattered by the physical consequences of Hyperandrogenism, it leads to distress, embarrassment and feelings of self consciousness. It can also affects their relationships, work and overall quality of life.

2. Body Image issues: The thinning of hair or breakouts are a direct consequence of the condition, however, it affects a woman deeply. This can make simple activities like meeting new people, a presentation or wearing certain clothes daunting and fraught with anxieties.

3. Social Withdrawal: Women usually withdraw from social settings and limit interactions as a result of hyperandrogenism. This includes feeling lonely, strained relationships and consciousness when it comes to ****** intimacy.

4. Overall impact on quality of life: The emotional pain, physical insecurities and social isolation can significantly affect a woman’s life. Keeping up with daily activities may seem like a chore and the future aspirations of a family adds even more weight on them. 

Diagnosis and Management

Upon seeing signs, when a woman goes for diagnosis, there’s a thorough medical examination that follows. It focuses on her menstrual cycle and family history. A physical examination, along with blood tests and other hormonal tests are conducted to identify the exact cause of the condition. It is also important to distinguish this condition from other hormonal issues.

Lifestyle Modifications:

An important part of management is not only a better diet but also exercising in some capacity. The diet should be high in protein and low in refined carbohydrates and sugar. On the other hand, a person may undergo treatments like laser treatment, shaving, etc. for hair removal, which may elevate their confidence and quality of life. Another important aspect is to have access to mental health services. Therapy may help women cope with their self image issues and manage anxiety and depression.

Psychological Support

Given the significant psychological impact, access to mental health professionals is paramount. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help women develop coping mechanisms, challenge negative thought patterns related to body image, and manage anxiety and depression.

Living with Hyperandrogenism

While there are treatments and tools to help manage the symptoms of Hyperandrogenism, it is equally important to advocate for self acceptance and building a solid support system around oneself. The standards of ideal beauty need rethinking as it may cause a lot of distress to women who do not or cannot adhere to them. There should be a shift from secrecy to openly discussing about the excess of male hormones in a biological female’s body and how it impacts them. A woman's body is always a subject to discussion- any deviation from the standard may cause great inconvenience to them and it is about time, we change that.