The hirsute person: a commentary

'Hirsutism': a psychological analysis

Hirsutism, i.e. 'excess' body hair in the 'male' distribution, is a medical term applied only to women. Although associated with social and psychological difficulties including anxiety, social avoidance and a confusion of gender identity and although it raises important gender issues, there has been little systematic study. No prior research has focussed on the relationship between women's perceived degree of hirsutism and psychological distress. A survey of 53 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which often produces 'excess' hair growth, was carried out to assess any psychological consequences of perceived hirsutism. Results indicated raised levels of psychological distress overall, but no significant relationships between perceived hirsutism and distress. Four semi-structured interviews were then conducted to facilitate more in-depth exploration of hirsute women's experience. Analysis suggested idealized cultural norms for hair growth prevail and excess hair growth contributes to gender inconsistencies and feelings of deviance and stigma. Effective concealment of hair growth and 'passing' for normal appear to facilitate relatively high levels of functioning and allows idealized cultural norms to be maintained.

Unwanted body hair and its removal: a review

Despite widespread demand for efficient, reliable methods of eliminating unwanted hair from the face and body, available options were limited until the recent development of laser-assisted hair removal systems. This is a review of the various types of hair removal methods available today with an emphasis on laser-assisted hair removal.

Serum androgens and psychopathology in hirsute women

Twenty consecutive women referred for evaluation and treatment of idiopathic hirsutism were evaluated with regard to levels of serum androgens, degree of hirsutism, nature and prevalence of psychological symptoms, and mood and affects. Androgens measured were total testosterone, free testosterone, biologically active testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and androstenedione. Psychological symptoms were quantified via the Derogatis Symptom Inventory, and mood and affects were measured by the Affects Balance Scale. Results revealed very significant correlations between unbound fractions of testosterone (i.e. free and biologically active testosterone) and both symptom and mood measures of depression (r = 0.60; p < 0.01). Significant inverse correlations were also observed between unbound fractions of testosterone and positive affects measures (e.g. 'contentment' r = -0.51; p < 0.05). Correlations between total testosterone and psychological variables were non-significant in all instances. Measures of degree of hirsutism correlated approximately zero (o) with psychological symptom and mood measures in this sample. When psychiatric 'caseness' criteria were applied to the cohort, seven of the 20 women (35%) were found to be positive. Results are interpreted to suggest that depression among hirsute women appears more likely to have its basis in a deranged neuroendocrine mechanism than in psychosocial causes.

Biomedical versus cultural constructions of abnormality: the case of idiopathic hirsutism in the United States

From an examination of (1) psychological and social stresses documented by the medical profession of women with amounts of hair departing from what is considered to be the "feminine" distribution of hair (idiopathic hirsutism), (2) biomedical information about male and female hair growth and distribution, (3) definitional influences of society, and (4) instrumental maneuverings of depilatory industries, this paper offers insights about the alteration of natural female facial and body hair to conform to a social construct of gender status. Although the hair problem is interesting in itself, its implications are much broader, for what lies behind conceptions of abnormality is a biological reality mediated by social constructs and classificatory schema.

Anxiety and hirsutism

To compare anxiety of 15 hirsute women and of 20 control subjects (student nurses) seen at the Soroka Medical Center, Israel, three hypotheses were considered: patients with hirsutism have significantly higher state anxiety than the control sample; patients with hirsutism show significantly higher trait anxiety than the control sample; the extent of hirsutism generates no significant differences in state or trait anxiety. The two groups were compared on the Hebrew version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The first two hypotheses were confirmed but no correlation was found between extent of hirsutism and state or trait anxiety. The findings are discussed and implications made with regard to physicians' understanding of the hirsute patient.