Hirsutism.
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1995 Nov / Dec VOL VI NO 6.
Balakrishnan E. 

Introduction:

Hirsutism is the growth of hair in women in a form similar to which that which usually develops in normal post - pubertal men.

Factors which cause Hirsutism are -

1. The over production of adrenal androgens.
2. Increased free hormone due to reduced quantities of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG).
3. Increased sensitivity of the skin to hormonal stimulation.

Hair growth in the pubic and axillary regions is followed by hair growth on the upper lip, chin and cheeks, forearms, abdomen, chest and shoulders.

The following two cases treated successfully with Homoeopathic remedies are cited below:-

Case 1:

Miss M aged 21 years studying for M.Sc 1st year; only child of a well-to-do parents.

Frequent complaints were -

1. Mental depression and change of moods.
2. Unwanted hair on the face, hands and chest.
3. Menses irregular, occasionally delayed for 3-4 months. Amenorrhoea from Aug. 1994.
4. Writers cramp - affecting right hand.

Menstrual periods had been irregular for many years and very often Hormone treatment was given which yielded temporary results.

From January to October 1994 (i.e. in 10 months) she got menses only five times that too with treatment.

The growth of hair on the upper lip, chin and cheeks and forearms was quite prominent for removal of which she regularly underwent Electrolysis at a beauty parlour.

Right hand writers cramp developed since June 1993; she found it difficult even to write two full pages continuously.

Her mental symptoms were prominent. Mental depression coming on frequently; always sad, taciturn, gloomy; a feeling that she was being persecuted by everyone; a feeling that she committed grievous hurt of had not done her duty.

After returning home from college, she would shun the family and just remain in her study-room. She had been taking psychiatric treatment and now wanted to try Homoeopathic treatment.

Treatment and Follow-up:

Thuja met her mental attitude and would help in neutralizing the adverse effects of hormone treatment - Thuja 10M, 2 doses were given (12 hours apart) on 1-11-94.

8-11-94 - Cycl 200 - 2 doses per day for 3 days and daily 1 dose for 4 days.
15-11-94 - Her mother reported good improvement in the behavioral pattern. Cramps reduced. Cyclamen 1M OD for three days.
22-11-94 - Cyclamen 10M, 1 dose.
24-11-94 - Menstrual period on 23-11-94 with heavy bleeding. Advised bed rest.
30-11-94 - Period lasted for 7 full days and there was heavy bleeding. Bleeding stopped on 29-11-94. Cyclamen 10M, 1 dose asked to report after 3 weeks.
23-12-94 - During the period it was noticed that after recent Electrolysis, further growth of hair at unwanted places had drastically reduced.
30-12-94 - No menses (5 weeks). Cyclamen 10M, 2 doses (12 hours apart).
Menses on 31-1-95 and flow lasted for 5 days upto 5-2-95. From then onwards the periods had been coming on regularly every month till date. Patient carried on with Electrolysis at longer intervals, that too 2 more months, since the growth of superfluous hair at unwanted site had stopped.

The patient is normal in all respects and also relieved of the writers cramp.

Rubrics:

1. KR 51 - Ailments from grief - Cycl, THUJ
2. KR 71 - Ailments after reproaches himself - Cycl, Thu
3. KR 12 - Aggravated in company - Cycl, THUJ
4. KR 75 - Sadness - Cycl, THUJ
5. KR 30 - Delusion persecuted that he is - cycl
6. KR 23 - Delusion as if he had committed crime - cycl
7. KR 726 - Menses irregular - Cycl
8. KR 727 - Menses late - Cycl
9. KR 1326 - Hair unusual parts on - thuj
10. KR 973 - Writers cramp.

Hand cramp, writing - cycl
Fingers cramp, writing - cycl
Thumb cramp, writing - Cycl

Case 2:

Homoeopathic medical student, Miss C aged 25 years.

Complaints: Hair growth on the upper lip, chin, cheeks, fore-arms and abdomen and Menstrual Irregularity.

Past History:

She was brilliant in studies, scored high marks in 12th but unluckily failed to get admission for MBBS for want of 1 mark; A major disappointment. Joined Homoeopathic College where, as she put it, she could not get proper encouragement - this was another disappointment. For many years her menses used to be irregular or even absent for months together. Allopathic treatment for long periods could not help her. Even Homoeopathic treatment had failed; her uncle took her to UK for specialised treatment where also all efforts including Hormone Therapy etc. failed. These factors added to her disappointment.

As if to add fuel to the fire, she started getting hair at unwanted places; it was humiliating for her even to appear in public.

Hirsutism had such a depressing influence on her that she was sad, morose, with no interest in life. She used to weep in solitude to giver vent to her grief.

For the superfluous growth of hair on the upper lip, chin, cheeks and neck, she had been resorting to Electrolysis almost every 10 days regularly.

When she consulted me for the above complaints two years back, she was advised to take Thuja 10M - 2 doses (12 hours apart).

(To neutralise the adverse effects of Hormone Therapy and also to meet her other ailments).

The drug picture presented was that of Nat-mur. She was subsequently advised to take Nat-mur 200 onwards upto Nat-mur 50M in graduated doses at proper intervals which helped in normalizing her menstrual cycle and simultaneously in reducing the growth of superfluous hair at unwanted places.

Within a period of about six months the growth of hair at unwanted places stopped completely. There was no need for Electrolysis as well, afterwards.

Rubrics:

1. KR 71 - Ailments from grief - NAT-MUR, THUJ
2. KR 75 - Sadness - NAT-MUR, THUJ
3. KR 12 - Aggr- company - NAT-MUR, Thuj
4. KR 727 - Menses late - NAT-MUR
5. KR 728 - Menses suppressed - NAt-mur
6. KR 1326 - Hair, unusual parts on - thuj
7. KR 93 - Weeps alone, when-Nat-mur

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