Hirsutism

3 medicines

Hirsutism is excess hair growth in a male pattern on a woman's face, chest or abdomen, almost always driven by raised androgen activity. Hormonal treatment and topical eflornithine cream help slow further growth.

Cyproterone Acetate and Ethinylestradiol Tablets

Cyproterone, Ethinylestradiol

2/0.035mg

Cyproterone Acetate and Ethinylestradiol Tablets is a womens health medication containing Cyproterone + Ethinylestradiol, available as 2/0.035mg tablets.

from $1.03 / tablet View

Diane 35

Cyproterone, Ethinylestradiol

2/0.035mg

Diane 35 is a womens health medication containing Cyproterone + Ethinylestradiol, available as 2/0.035mg tablets.

from $1.03 / tablet View

Vaniqa

Eflornithine

13.9%

Vaniqa is a womens health medication containing Eflornithine, available as 13.9% tubes.

from $49.30 / tube View

Key facts

  • Hirsutism is excess hair growing in a male pattern on a woman's face, chest, or abdomen. The hair is typically dark and coarse rather than fine vellus hair.
  • The cause is almost always hormonal: androgens stimulate hair follicles in hormone-sensitive areas. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) accounts for most cases; adrenal disorders, thyroid dysfunction, and certain medicines can also raise androgen levels.
  • Combined oral contraceptives containing cyproterone and ethinylestradiol lower the androgen effect on follicles; a cream containing eflornithine slows regrowth of unwanted facial hair. These sit within women's health and skin care.
  • Sudden or rapidly worsening hirsutism needs prompt review to rule out an underlying adrenal or ovarian tumor.

What drives the excess hair

Polycystic ovary syndrome accounts for the majority of cases. Beyond PCOS, adrenal disorders, thyroid dysfunction, and certain medicines can raise androgen levels enough to trigger hirsutism. A smaller proportion of cases have no identifiable hormonal cause, and the amount of hair growth does not always match the degree of hormonal imbalance, since hair follicles vary in how sensitive they are to androgens.

Hormonal and topical approaches

Because androgens are usually the driving force, treatment lowers their effect on follicles. Combined oral contraceptives containing cyproterone and ethinylestradiol are a well-established option: cyproterone is an anti-androgen that blocks the receptor, while ethinylestradiol suppresses ovarian androgen output. For unwanted facial hair specifically, a cream containing eflornithine slows regrowth by inhibiting an enzyme the follicle needs. These treatments sit within the broader areas of women's health and skin care. Results take several months to become visible, and hair already present needs physical removal alongside any medical treatment.

When to see a doctor

If hirsutism appears suddenly or worsens quickly, an underlying cause such as an adrenal or ovarian tumor should be ruled out promptly.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.