How to stop unwanted hair growth

Dark, coarse hair on the face, chest, abdomen, or back is often called hirsutism. Hair pattern can be influenced by family traits, age, medicines, and androgen hormones. Polycystic ovary syndrome is one possible hormonal cause, especially when excess hair appears with irregular periods, acne, weight changes, or difficulty with ovulation. The hair symptom itself does not establish a diagnosis.

Temporary options include trimming, shaving, threading, waxing, or depilatory products; test a product on a small area and stop if the skin reacts. A clinician may discuss longer-term reduction with electrolysis or light-based treatment and medicines that slow new growth. Hormonal treatment can take time because existing hairs follow their own growth cycle. Tell the clinician if pregnancy is possible before starting medicine.

Arrange medical review if hair growth starts suddenly, progresses quickly, or appears with a deeper voice, marked acne, scalp hair thinning, increased muscle bulk, or periods becoming irregular. Seek help for severe skin inflammation or a medicine reaction after hair removal.

Could my periods or other symptoms point to a hormone cause? Which removal method suits my skin? Would the combined pill be appropriate for me, and how will we monitor treatment?