HIRSUTISM
Treatment

HIRSUTISM COSMETIC TREATMENT

	Bleaching (makes the excessive hair less obvious)
	Depilatory creams (removing hair)
Shaving (for skin irritation and skin damage the electric shavers are better than wet types)
	Waxing (pulls hairs out from the roots and needs to be repeated regularly)
Electrolysis (may result in permanent hair loss but takes time)
	Epilady (removes the hair by a combined cut and pull)
Laser therapy (modern lasers are pretty effective for facial hair removal in certain skin types)

HIRSUTISM MEDICAL TREATMENT

In general all anti-hirsutism tablets may help to slow hair growth down so that
hairs become thinner and less noticeable. For significant effect the anti-hirsutism
tablets should be taken up to 12 months and usually need to be continued for
several years at least. In most cases, hirsutism will return once tablets have been
stopped.

	Oestrogens (eg. oral contraceptives – 1 pill per day) suppress ovarian androgen production and reduce free androgens (Yasmin).
	Diane 35 or Dianette (1 pill per day). This contains oestrogen (female hormone – similar to  contraceptive pills) and a low dose of Cyproterone-acetate (anti-androgen).
	Cyproteron-acetate (anti-androgen) - 50 -200mg per day. Anti-androgens counteract male hormones. Cyproterone must be used along with an oral contraceptive pill to avoid this happening. Cyproterone is also available in doses that are larger and more effective than the dose found in Diane 35 and Dianette. It is necessary to prevent pregnancy during and for up to 6 months following treatment with anti-androgens as they have potential to damage a developing baby (can cause a male fetus to appear female).
	Spironolactone (200 mg per day) is a diuretic and it has some anti-androgen activity. It should be taken along with an oral contraceptive pill to avoid pregnancy. Can cause useful improvements in hirsutism in selected cases.
	Metformin. This drug is normally used in the treatment of diabetes. It has been shown to be beneficial in women with PCOS.
	Vaniqa cream (eflornithine) applied twice daily slows the growth of facial hair by inhibiting a key enzyme involved in hair growth.