Does Chaste Tree Help With Hirsutism Symptoms?
Hirsutism, the growth of excess body hair, is a physically painless hormonal condition, but the psychological effects can be very damaging. Many women feel very self-conscious about the excess body hair they experience. There are treatments available, but some women can benefit from using alternative supplements to alleviate their symptoms. One example of a supplement that is often mentioned for Hirsutism is Chaste Tree. But does it really help?
What Is Hirsutism?
Hirsutism is a hormonal condition that affects around 10% of women worldwide. It’s often caused by a hormone imbalance in the body which causes a male pattern hair growth. Some women may notice excess hair on their lips, abdomen, nipples, shoulders and back. It can be accompanied by other symptoms of hormone imbalance such as irregular periods, acne, and other signs of masculinity.
There can be an underlying cause for hirsutism, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), some types of tumors, Cushing’s Disease, or a side effect to a some medications. In some cases, there is no underlying cause, but the symptoms can still be treated.
Treatment Options for Hirsutism
There are no medications that will actually ‘treat’ hirsutism, but there are some that can treat the underlying cause. If the underlying cause is treated, then the symptoms can lessen. There are three most common treatments – oral contraceptives, androgen blockers, or a topical cream.
The excess hair can also be removed using traditional hair removal methods. Laser therapy, electrolysis, shaving, or hair removal creams are all used in getting rid of excess hair.
Alternative Treatment
Hirsutism can be very difficult for women to cope with, and traditional medications aren’t effective for everyone. This is why many women look for alternative ways to treat hirsutism. It’s highly recommended that anyone considering using an alternative treatments consults with a physician before starting.
There are few alternative supplements that may help, but chaste tree is one of the most often mentioned. If you would like to learn more about natural remedies for hirsutism, you can learn more in our article here.
What Is Chaste Tree?
Chaste Tree is a small shrub that’s native to the Mediterranean region. It has many names, such as vitex agnus-cactus, Monk’s pepper, and chasteberry. It’s been used for treating various ailments and complaints since ancient Greece.
It was believed to be an anaphrodisiac, and was used to help men and women remain chaste. This is also why it got the name chaste tree. The leaves, tender stems, flowers, seeds, and berries are all used in the herbal supplement.
What Does Chaste Tree Do?
Exactly how chaste tree works isn’t fully understood but there are some early theories of the effect it could be having. There seems to be a connection to prolactin pathways, which is why it was used in traditional medicine for a number of gynecological complaints such as PMS and menopause.
Is Chaste Tree Useful For Hirsutism?
Unfortunately, the use of Chaste Tree in Hirsutism does not really have scientific evidence, and further studies are required to show whether or not it is effective in Hirsutism.
Be sure to speak to your doctor about it first if you are still interested in taking Chaste Tree, as you want to make sure it’s safe to take it together with your current treatments and medications you may be taking.
Conclusion
Hirsutism, or excess hair growth, often has an underlying cause that should be understood before beginning with treatment. There are treatment options that can be recommended to you by your doctor. Unfortunately, no scientific evidence actually exists to endorse the use of Chaste Tree for Hirsutism.
If you would like to learn more about natural remedies and supplements recommended for women with hirsutism, head on over to our detailed article on the subject.