Home Care:

Hirsutism is generally a long-term problem. There are a number of ways to remove or treat unwanted hair. Some treatment effects last longer than others.

Weight loss in overweight women can reduce hair growth. Bleaching or lightening hair may make it less noticeable.

Temporary hair removal options include:

• Shaving does not cause more hair to grow, but the hair may look thicker.
• Plucking and waxing are fairly safe and are not expensive. However, they can be painful and there is a risk for scarring, swelling, and skin darkening.
• Chemicals may be used, but most have a bad odor.

Laser hair removal (electrolysis) uses electrical current to permanently damage individual hair follicles so they do not grow back. This method is expensive and multiple treatments are needed. Swelling, scarring, and redness of the skin may occur.

Call your health care provider if:

Call your doctor if:

• The hair grows rapidly.
• The hair growth is associated with male features such as acne, deepening voice, increased muscle mass, and decreased breast size.
• You are concerned that medication may be worsening unwanted hair growth.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

Your doctor will perform a physical examination, including a pelvic examination if appropriate. The doctor will ask questions such as:

• Do other members of your family also have excessive amounts of hair?
• What medications are you taking?
• Have your periods been regular?
• Are you pregnant?
• Have you noticed other signs of excess male hormones such as increased muscle mass, deepening voice, acne, or decreased breast size?
• When did you first notice these symptoms?

Your doctor may measure different hormone levels if you have moderate or severe hirsutism or you have other symptoms:

• Testosterone
• Dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S)
• Luteinizing hormone (LH)
• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
• Prolactin
• 17-hydroxyprogesterone

If a tumor is suspected, x-ray tests such as a CT scan or ultrasound may be recommended.

Medications or other treatments your doctor may prescribe include:

• Birth control pills. It may take several months to begin noticing a difference.
• Anti-androgen medications such as spironolactone may be tried if birth control pills do not work. There is a risk of birth defects if you become pregnant while taking these medicines.
• Hair removal using laser and nonlaser light sources damage individual hair follicles so they do not grow back. This is expensive and multiple treatments are needed. You may get a topical (applied to the skin) medicine called eflomithine during these treatments.