Loss of Armpit/Pubic Hair Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a condition in which a woman's ovaries do not correctly release one egg cell per month (ovulate) as is normal. Instead, the egg cells remain on the surface of the ovary and fluid-filled cysts form around them.

The cause is not entirely known, but PCOS can be caused by significant weight gain because that brings about hormonal imbalance and insulin resistance. There may also be hereditary factors.

Symptoms include very irregular and abnormal menstrual periods. There may be signs of excess male hormones such as acne, facial and body hair, or even male pattern baldness.

Untreated PCOS can lead to infertility, complications of pregnancy, abnormal uterine bleeding, depression, and endometrial cancer.

Diagnosis is made through symptoms, pelvic examination, blood tests, and ultrasound.

PCOS is often treated with birth control pills, which suppress ovulation, regulate the monthly cycle, and decrease male hormone production. Maintaining normal body weight can often help the condition.

Lupus

Lupus, also called systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE, is an autoimmune disease. It causes the body's protective system to attack its own tissues the way it would normally attack an invading substance or microbe.

The disease can take different forms depending on what system or organ is being attacked.

Symptoms may come and go and may be mild or temporarily flare up. They include a butterfly-shaped rash spreading from the bridge of the nose over both cheeks; fatigue; fever; joint pain; chest pain; mental confusion; sensitivity to sunlight; and Raynaud phenomenon, where fingers and toes turn white when exposed to cold.

There is no cure for lupus, though symptoms can be treated to improve quality of life.

Diagnosis is made through a combination of tests since the signs of lupus vary greatly. Blood tests, urine tests, kidney and liver tests, and antibody testing will all be done.

Treatment involves some combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants, along with improved diet, sleep, and stress management to help strengthen the immune system.

Late onset hypogonadism

Late onset hypogonadism is also called LOH, androgen deficiency, or testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS.)

It is a reduction in testosterone production sometimes found in men over 50. A small amount of loss is natural due to aging, but LOH causes symptoms that may be severe and can interfere with quality of life.

Testosterone is needed to maintain the male reproductive system, but it also influences many other functions including metabolism, bone density, muscle strength and formation, and clear thinking.

LOH is most often caused by a direct loss of functioning in the testicles due to the combination of aging and other illnesses, especially those that interfere with circulation such as obesity, diabetes, or heart disease.

It may also be due to a malfunction in the hypothalamus and/or pituitary glands in the brain, which control hormone levels.

Symptoms include erectile dysfunction as well as a decrease in libido, muscle strength, and energy. Osteoporosis is also a risk.

Diagnosis is made through patient history and blood tests. Treatment involves testosterone replacement therapy, which usually has very positive effects.

Klinefelter syndrome

Klinefelter syndrome is a genetic condition that results when a boy is born with an extra copy of the X chromosome. Klinefelter syndrome is a common genetic condition affecting males. Klinefelter syndrome adversely affects testicular growth, and this can result in smaller than normal testicles.

You should visit your primary care physician, where he or she can perform hormone tests to understand what is going on and genetic testing to identify whether there is an extra chromosome.

Rarity: Uncommon

Top Symptoms: decreased sex drive, irritability, fewer erections, small testes, attention problems

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism, or "underactive thyroid," means that the thyroid gland in the neck does not produce enough of its hormones. This causes a slowing of the body's metabolism.

The condition can occur due to autoimmune disease; any surgery or radiation treatment to the thyroid gland; some medications; pregnancy; or consuming too much or too little iodine. It is often found among older women with a family history of the disease.

Common symptoms include fatigue, constantly feeling cold, weight gain, slow heart rate, and depression. If left untreated, these and other symptoms can worsen until they lead to very low blood pressure body temperature, and even coma.

Diagnosis is made through a simple blood test.

Hypothyroidism is easily managed with daily oral medication. The patient usually starts feeling better after a couple of weeks and may even lose some extra weight. It's important for the patient to be monitored by a doctor and have routine blood testing so that the medication can be kept at the correct levels.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: fatigue, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating, weight gain, muscle aches

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Hemochromatosis

Hemochromatosis is a condition where the body stores too much of the iron it receives from food. This iron builds up in the organs, especially the heart, liver, and pancreas, causing damage and eventually failure.

The condition is inherited. Most often it will first appear in men around the age of 30, and in women after menopause or hysterectomy.

Symptoms include ongoing fatigue; joint pain, especially in the first two fingers; abdominal pain; enlarged heart, liver, and spleen; mental confusion; reddish or ashen skin color; and irregular heartbeat.

It is important that any signs of hemochromatosis be seen by a medical provider so that treatment can begin before organ damage sets in. The condition can lead to many other illnesses including diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis, some cancers, and some neurological disorders.

Diagnosis is made through blood tests, with confirmation through genetic testing.

Treatment involves regular blood donation; medication to help remove iron from the blood; and changing the diet to avoid foods high in iron, such as red meat and some fish.

Cushing syndrome

Cushing syndrome is a hormonal disorder that occurs when there is too much of the stress hormone cortisol in the body. It can be caused by taking steroid medications commonly prescribed for asthma or arthritis, or by problems with the glands in the body that are involved in creating cortisol. Symptoms can vary from person to person but often include easy bruising, a "hump" on the back, and stretch marks. Fatigue, large stomach, red round face, and high blood sugar may also occur.

You should consider visiting a medical professional in the next week or two to discuss your symptoms. Cushing syndrome can be evaluated with a review of your symptoms and medical history, as well as blood tests. Treatment depends on the cause of your condition. If caused by steroid medication, you may be instructed to lower the dosage slowly over time. If caused by issues with your glands, surgery, radiation, or medication may be an option.

Adrenal insufficiency

The adrenal gland's outer layer produces hormones such as cortisol and aldosterone, which control many important functions of the body such as blood sugar and blood pressure regulation, and urine production. In adrenal insufficiency, not enough of these hormones are produced, leading to symptoms such as fatigue and weakness, appetite and weight loss, nausea, and vomiting.

You should visit your primary care physician who will coordinate your care with a specialist. Adrenal insufficiency is a complex condition that is treated with hormone replacement therapy.

Rarity: Ultra rare

Top Symptoms: depressed mood, anxiety, abdominal pain (stomach ache), loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting

Urgency: Primary care doctor