Psychosomatics of hirsutism
With hirsutism a woman grows thick dark hair on her face, neck, chest, tummy, back or thighs. It is usually down to male hormones called androgens, and the most common cause is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Sometimes no cause is found. Losing excess weight, hair removal, a cream and tablets from a doctor help. The Ladder method adds questions about shame about your body, and it does not replace a doctor.
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When to see a doctor
A gynaecologist and an endocrinologist look at hirsutism. The doctor asks about your cycle, weight and medicines, orders blood tests for hormones and sometimes an ovarian ultrasound. Treatment is chosen to fit the cause and what matters most to you.
In the Ladder method
In the Ladder method hirsutism is not explained as "you reject the woman in yourself". You are not to blame. It is worth having your hormones checked by a gynaecologist or an endocrinologist first. Questions to yourself belong next to treatment, not instead of it.
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In the method this fits the image of "shame and acceptance": how much energy goes into hiding your face and body, whose words about your looks you still hear, whether you are allowed to be yourself without perfect skin. Many women stay silent about it for years, even with people close to them. It is an image, not the cause, and it does not replace treatment.
On the ladder this shows up as the steps "something is wrong with me" and "no one can see me like this". You can work through them at your own pace alongside treatment.
These are questions for reflection, not an explanation of what causes the condition and not a treatment.
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How it shows up
Book a doctor’s appointment if you notice:
- Thick dark hair on the chin and above the lip
- Hair on the chest, tummy or back
- Hair on the buttocks and inner thighs
- Irregular periods
- Acne and oily skin
- Wanting to hide your face and body
What medicine knows
The NHS says hirsutism is when a woman grows thick dark hair where men usually do: on the face, neck, chest, tummy, lower back, buttocks and thighs.
It is most often caused by higher levels of male hormones called androgens or by being very sensitive to them. The most common cause is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Hirsutism can also run in families, sometimes no cause is found, and rarely it is caused by medicines or other hormonal conditions.
Losing weight, if you are overweight, helps: it lowers androgen levels. Hair can be removed by shaving, waxing, creams, laser or electrolysis.
A doctor may prescribe an eflornithine cream for the face, the contraceptive pill or other medicines that reduce the effect of androgens. Tablets do not work straight away, usually only after a few months. Hirsutism often hurts more than it seems from the outside, and support from a psychologist is also appropriate.
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Frequently asked questions
Why does a woman grow hair on her face?
Most often because of male hormones called androgens or being very sensitive to them. The most common cause is polycystic ovary syndrome (NHS). Sometimes it runs in families.
What does hirsutism mean in psychosomatics?
There is no proven "meaning". In the Ladder method hirsutism becomes a reason to ask yourself how much energy goes into hiding yourself and whether you are allowed to be yourself. It is a question to yourself, not a diagnosis.
Can hirsutism be treated?
It can be noticeably reduced. Losing excess weight, hair removal, a face cream and tablets from a doctor help, and tablets show results after a few months (NHS). A gynaecologist or an endocrinologist chooses the treatment.
Related topics
Psychosomatics does not replace tests and treatment. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.