|  | Conditions Treatments | Hormone Issues

What Encourages Hair Growth on the Lip?

Some women experience an increased amount of upper lip hair, which may be dark in color and thick in texture. The problem generally is caused by hirsutism, a condition that causes excessive facial and body hair. Hirsutism affects about one in every 20 American women, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The condition, which has a number of potential causes, occurs when the body produces an increased amount of androgens, or male hormones.

  1. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

    • Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is the most common cause of hirsutism, according to the Mayo Clinic. The condition also may cause obesity, acne, irregular menstrual periods, fertility problems and ovarian cysts. To treat excessive lip hair caused by PCOS, women will generally need to use anti-androgens to regulate their hormone levels. Birth control pills also may be recommended to regulate hormone levels.

    Other Conditions

    • There are several other conditions that may cause women to experience hirsutism. Cushing's syndrome, which is a condition that occurs when the body is exposed to high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, can lead to excessive facial and lip hair. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a condition that causes an abnormal amount of cortisol and androgen, is another cause of hirsutism. In some rare instances, ovarian or adrenal gland tumors can increase androgen production and cause excessive hair growth.

    Medications and Steroids

    • Certain medications that interfere with a woman's androgen hormone balance can cause hirsutism. Cyclosporine, danazol, diazoxide, hexachlorobenzene, minoxidil, and phenytoin are all medications that can lead to hirsutism, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Anabolic steroids also can cause the problem. If medications or anabolic steroids are the cause of hirsutism, women will generally need to discontinue the medication or switch to a different dosage in order to treat excessive facial and lip hair.

    Unknown Cause

    • In trying to determine the cause of hirsutism, a doctor will measure a woman's androgen levels and record menstrual period dates to find out whether or not a hormonal imbalance is to blame. In some cases, a cause of excessive hair is not found. When the cause of increased body and facial hair, including lip hair, growth is not identifiable, the condition is referred to as idiopathic hirsutism, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Considerations

    • Pregnancy can cause women to experience an increased amount of body and facial hair due to changes in hormone levels. This problem tends to occur during the third trimester. The excessive hair growth that occurs during pregnancy is not related to hirsutism and is considered to be normal, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Women will generally find that their hormone levels will return to normal after pregnancy and should stop experiencing unwanted hair growth.

Hormone Issues - Related Articles