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The fresh pregnancy glow on their face and thick lustrous hair make every pregnant woman feel more attractive. Along with this, you may notice some extra hair in places where you don’t wish to have any. Excessive hair growth or Hirsutism is a common condition among women during pregnancy. Hair grows in the stomach area or in the other unwanted areas of the body like the face or around the nipples. However, the good news is, this extra fuzz is not for keeps. It disappears about 6 months after your delivery.
Is a Hairy Belly During Pregnancy Normal?
A fuzzy belly creates a lot of worry among pregnant women. Most women hate it. Although hair anywhere on the body other than the head and eyebrows is very annoying, a hairy stomach during pregnancy is absolutely normal. All you need to do is deal with it till it lasts, with patience.
What Causes Hair Growth on the Stomach During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the body produces an excess level of androgen. This causes excessive hair growth, not just in the common areas but also in unwanted areas. Another reason is the hair getting darker than before due to the work of melanin, a pigment in our body.
Why Do Some Pregnant Women Have Belly Hair While Some Don’t?
Although all women during pregnancy produce both male and female hormones, not all experience excessive hair growth, especially in unwanted areas. Some women, on the other hand, experience hyperpigmentation, acne, and swelling.
What Does Belly Hair in Pregnancy Mean?
A pregnant woman having a hairy stomach is quite common and normal. It is due to the hormones that also make your nails grow. It can basically mean that your hormones are overworking to help your baby grow well in your womb.
Will the Hair Go Away After Child Birth?
Pregnancy brings with it a lot of side effects. One such effect is Hirsutism or excessive hair growth during pregnancy due to the overworking of the hormones. However, there are no reasons to worry. Belly hair which grows during pregnancy disappears on its own when the hormones return to normal after the delivery. If in case you find your pregnancy-induced belly hair not disappearing even after delivery, you can consult a dermatologist for some treatment options available.
Warning Signs to Watch Out for
Hair on the belly is not abnormal or out of this world. It is a natural condition that occurs during pregnancy in some women due to the hormonal changes. However, growing hair on the belly during pregnancy could be scary at times.
- Excess belly fuzz during pregnancy could indicate Hyperandrogenism, a rare condition. It occurs when the male sex hormone androgens are produced in excess. It also happens when the pregnant woman suffers from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or in case she has been on medication to treat epilepsy.
- This condition can also trigger high blood pressure, acne, decreased or absent menstrual periods, manly voice, excessive weight gain, baldness and increase muscle mass.
- Medically induced hyperandrogenism, though rare, can be quite worrisome. If the mother has an excess of androgens in her blood, it can affect her unborn baby as well. If a woman (suffering from this condition) gives birth to a baby girl, the baby may run the risk of having male-like characteristics (virilisation).
- Growth in the abdomen or pelvis.
- Belly hair usually disappears in a period of 6 months to 9 months after delivery. However, if it persists or the hair seems to spread and grow thicker, you should consult a doctor.
Treatment for unwanted belly hair during pregnancy is fairly limited. Although it may feel gross, avoid any type of depilatory creams until you have delivered. Stick to the other safe options like tweezing, waxing or shaving. The increased blood flow may make your skin sensitive during pregnancy, so try and avoid more aggressive methods of hair removal like chemicals, bleaches, and laser. They may affect your foetus too. Therefore, the best way is to just go with the flow of pregnancy even if it seems unpleasant.
