Hirsutism Treatment
Discreet and reliable treatment for hirsutism.
Hirsutism causes excessive hair growth. It can be triggered by a medical condition, and you may be more likely to experience it after menopause.
Answer a few questions about your health, and get recommendations on the right treatments for you. Order hirsutism treatment online, on subscription.
irsutism is where women have thick, dark hair on the chest, face, neck, back, buttocks or thighs. It’s caused by an increase in hormones called androgens. The most common cause is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but in many cases there is no obvious cause.
Androgens are hormones connected to male traits but are present in both men and women. In women, androgens are converted into oestrogen - the ‘female hormone’.
During puberty, they stimulate the growth of pubic hair and also play a role in managing the function of organs like the kidneys and liver.
In adult women, they help to strengthen bones and play a key role in sexual desire and satisfaction.
Around 10% of women have more androgens than they need in their bodies, and this is what causes the thick hair growth associated with hirsutism.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy
Hirsutism can be caused by the presence of excess androgens, or by an increased sensitivity to them. There can be a range of reasons why you have excess androgens in your body or why you’re more sensitive to them.
For 70% of women with hirsutism, the cause is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS causes the ovaries to produce more androgens than the body needs and leads to the growth of thick, dark hair.
In some rare cases, hirsutism has been linked to more serious illnesses such as glucocorticoid resistance syndrome, hyperprolactinemia and Cushing's syndrome. In these cases hair growth happens suddenly and rapidly. Certain medications can also trigger hirsutism.
Although it can have a negative impact on self-confidence and mental health, the hair growth associated with hirsutism isn’t a problem in itself.
But it can be linked to other more serious conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, and for this reason it’s important to consult a doctor to find out what’s causing hirsutism.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy
Hirsutism is caused by an imbalance of hormones in the body, so treatment needs to work to redress this balance.
Treatment often includes a combined hormonal contraceptive. These have antiandrogenic properties and help to reduce the amount of androgens produced by the ovaries.
There’s also a non-hormonal treatment available called Elyn, which contains an active ingredient called eflornithine. This takes the form of a cream that is applied directly to the face to limit hair growth. Studies have shown that eflornithine can lead to a 26% reduction in facial hair when it’s used regularly for 24 weeks.
The treatment that you take for hirsutism is about personal choice. One of our doctors will chat with you about your symptoms and help you to define your goals so that treatment can be tailored to you and your lifestyle.
The hair that grows as a result of your hirsutism isn’t a threat in itself and you only need to treat it if you want to. Many women manage their hirsutism simply by removing the hair by shaving, waxing or laser treatment. Others opt for a more long term solution and take medication to help stop the hair growth. It really comes down to personal choice.
Hirsutism can have a negative effect on mental wellbeing because it affects confidence and self-image. Studies have shown that hirsutism can have a similar effect on quality of life as conditions including asthma, epilepsy and diabetes. Many women find that treatment helps to address this and increase levels of mental wellbeing and positivity.
If you have an underlying medical condition that’s causing hirsutism your health could be affected, and so it’s a good idea to treat it.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy
Have something specific you want to know about Hirsutism Treatment? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Epidemiology, diagnosis and management of hirsutism: a consensus statement by the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society. Human Reproduction Update, [online] 18(2), pp.146–170.
double-blind clinical evaluation of the efficacy and safety of topical eflornithine HCl 13.9% cream in the treatment of women with facial hair. Int J Dermatol 2007;46:94-8.
Health-related quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a comparison with the general population using the polycystic ovary syndrome questionnaire (PCOSQ) and the short form-36 (SF-36). Gynecol Endocrinol 2006;22:80-6.
Laser and photoepilation for unwanted hair growth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2006;(4):CD004684.
A twice daily, topical cream to help reduce facial hair growth.
Pill that reduces excessive hair growth in women by blocking the effect of male hormones.
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Meet ShivaniAlways read the leaflet that comes with your medication and tell us about any side effects you get.
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