Hirsutism
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Summary

  • Hirsutism is a condition that causes excessive hair growth.
  • It can be triggered by a medical condition, and often occurs after the menopause.
  • Treatment can involve medication to balance your hormones, or facial creams.
Reviewed on November 26, 2025. by
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell
Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer
Next review due on November 26, 2028
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell

Last updated on January 28, 2026

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Spironolactone

Spironolactone

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Anti-androgen tablets to reduce excess hair growth. Generic version of Aldactone.

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Hirsutism Female excess hair

What is hirsutism?

Hirsutism 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.

How common is hirsutism?

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.1

Treated trusted source:

  1. Escobar-Morreale H.F., et al (2011). Epidemiology, diagnosis and management of hirsutism: a consensus statement by the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society. Human Reproduction Update, 18(2), pp.146–170.
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell 23938
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on November 26, 2025. Next review due on November 26, 2028.

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 Female excess hair

What causes hirsutism?

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.

Can hirsutism lead to other problems?

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.

Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell 23938
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on November 26, 2025. Next review due on November 26, 2028.

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 Female excess hair

What medications are there for hirsutism?

Hirsutism is caused by an imbalance of hormones in the body, so treatment needs to work to redress this balance.

Treatment often includes combined hormonal contraceptives. These medications have antiandrogenic properties and help to reduce the amount of androgens produced by your ovaries.

There’s also a non-hormonal treatment available called Florexa, which contains an active ingredient called eflornithine. This comes as a cream that’s 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.1

Eflornithine was previously available as Vaniqa, which was discontinued by the manufacturer in 2023 due to supply shortages.

Treatments containing spironolactone can also be used off-label for hirsutism, though it usually takes at least six months to see results. That just means it isn’t officially approved for this use, but doctors often prescribe it because there’s evidence that it works.3,3

Is there a ‘best’ treatment for hirsutism?

The treatment that you take for hirsutism is about personal choice. Your doctor 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.

Does hirsutism always need treatment?

Only if you want to. Many women manage their hirsutism by simply shaving, waxing, or having 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 to conditions like asthma, epilepsy and diabetes. Many women find that treatment helps to increase their feeling of mental wellbeing.4

If you have an underlying medical condition that’s causing hirsutism, your health could be affected, so it’s a good idea to treat it.

Treated trusted source:

  1. ‌Wolf JE Jr, Shander D, Huber F, Jackson J, Lin CS, Mathes BM, et al. (2007). Randomized, 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.
  2. Messina, M., et al. (1983). Antiandrogenic properties of spironolactone. Clinical trial in the management of female hirsutism. Journal of endocrinological investigation, 6(1), pp.23–27.
  3. Moghetti, P., et al. (2000). Comparison of Spironolactone, Flutamide, and Finasteride Efficacy in the Treatment of Hirsutism: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 85(1), pp.89–94.
  4. Coffey S, Bano G, Mason HD. (2006). 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.

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 Female excess hair

Hirsutism: FAQ

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

How is hirsutism diagnosed?

Answer:
Hirsutism is usually diagnosed through analysis of your symptoms. Your physician will talk to you about where your hair has grown and how long it’s taken to develop, any medications you take, and may do a physical exam to check for lumps or other signs of an underlying condition.

It’s also common for a blood test to be carried out so that further investigation can take place if needed.

Does hirsutism treatment always work?

Answer:
There are a range of treatments for hirsutism, which is good news because not all treatments work for everyone. It’s a case of finding what works for you.

Some people find that the hormonal contraceptive pill alone is enough to limit hair growth and reduce symptoms, but others find that they also need to apply a cream to the hair to help reduce it.

Depending on the thickness of the hair and the area it covers, waxing or shaving might be enough to remove it. For thicker and stronger hair, electrolysis or laser removal might be more suitable. Some women see a 50% reduction in hair after using laser therapy for six months.[1]

It is important to give hormonal treatments enough time to work. Hair grows in cycles, and in order to stop growth, antiandrogen medications need to intervene at a very specific point in the growth cycle. For this reason, it can take several months for the effects of hormonal medication to be seen.

Can you get side effects from hirsutism treatment?

Answer:
If you choose to use a combined hormonal contraceptive to treat your hirsutism you may experience side effects such as weight changes and nausea. These can often be addressed through changes to lifestyle, and some may fade as your body gets used to the medication you’re taking.

Facial creams can cause acne when they are applied to the face.

And if you take treatments that contain spironolactone, side effects can include irregular periods and potential birth defects, so it's important to use birth control while you take them.

Treated trusted source:

  1. Haedersdal M, Gotzsche PC. (2006). Laser and photoepilation for unwanted hair growth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2006;(4):CD004684.

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