Anyone who’s experienced the unwelcome surprise of discovering dark hairs sprouting on their chin knows they are annoying and unwanted, to say the least.
However, if you’re spotting more than the occasional stray strand, you may have what’s called “hirsutism” – a condition where women grow stiff, dark body hair in atypical spots.
This isn’t something you need to worry about either, but as Kate Taylor writes for Little Things, it could be an indicator of something more serious.
Unbalanced hormones. The chin hairs might be a result of too much male sex hormones.
Polycystic ovary syndrome. Chin hairs alone aren’t an indicator of PCOS – a disorder that can affect your fertility – but if you’re also experiencing irregular periods, trouble losing weight or trouble conceiving, it’s best to go see your doctor.
Cushing’s syndrome. This is another reason that chin hair shouldn’t be ignored. According to Better Health Victoria, Cushing’s syndrome is a collection of hormonal disorders caused by too much of the “stress hormone” cortisol. There are a number of other symptoms that indicate you might have Cushing’s, including muscular weakness, weight gain, mood swings and headaches. Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned.
Listen: A hairy dilemma.
Chin hair could also be the result of things far less menacing, such as your age, your genetics, the birth control you’re taking or pregnancy.
If excessive chin hair is something that’s concerning you, it’s best to have a chat to your GP – they’ll be best placed to tell you whether there’s need to look into an underlying issue.
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After all the recent furore, this is probably something Ed Sheeran would upvote.