excessive hair

[Suz]

I have recently noticed a lot of new body hair.  This is not black course body hair, but very, very fine, short light hair. It is probably not noticeable to others unless they are very close to me. I am getting it all over my trunk area, on my breasts and more on my arms.  In doing some initial research, it seems that it could be related to a hormone problem or internal malignancy.  I have been diagnosed lately with CFS and MVP because of many symptoms of illness.  All of my thyroid tests turned out fine.  However, they don't feel there is an internal malignancy.  My doctor seems to see it but writes it off as unknown origin and isn't concerned about getting to the bottom of it.  I guess with this new development, I am more worried.  

By the way, I am 30.  Does your fine body hair increase with age?

Thanks.

[Johnny B]

I have a problem with excessive puic hair and i want to shave it all off they bother me and they fall off in the restroom floor and is very embarrassing to see. I was wondering what is ingrown hair and is it bad for you? Can i get it if i shaved it off? I heard that you get ingrown hair from shaving your pubic hair. is that harmful? Do you think i should shave it. Thank you

[rania]

Dear doctor

  i have black coarse hair all over my body including my niples and alot on my vagina.  I took a hormonal test and my doctor said that my hormones are balanced and i have to live with the hair.  I heard there are pills i can take to get rid of the hair such as birth control pills. Is that true and what are the side effects?  How can i rid myself of these excessive hairs.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Tough question to answer, since there's so much variation in hair growth patterns between people.  In my own experience (and I laser off a lot of hair), most situations like yours are not associated with hormone imbalance, much less malignancy.  If your periods are regular, there's almost no chance there could be a meaningful imbalance.  If your doctor has done even a cursory hormone evaluation and found nothing, then you're OK.  If you're still anxious, I'd recommend a consultatiton with an endocrinologist, just to confirm.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff