Oral contraceptives and antiandrogens are the best treatments for hirsutism.
June 1995 in “International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics” Long-term use of oral contraceptives, especially starting before age 20, may increase the risk of early-onset breast cancer.
Choose oral contraceptives with specific side effects to manage issues like acne and avoid unwanted effects.
3 citations,
July 2022 in “BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology” Some birth control pills increase young women's risk of blood clots more than others.
January 2022 in “Clinical Cases in Dermatology” Some hair loss from medication may reverse after stopping the drug, but treatment options are limited and ongoing research is needed.
68 citations,
May 1991 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism” Both cyproterone acetate and spironolactone effectively reduce hair growth in women with hirsutism.
1 citations,
March 2011 in “Hospital Pharmacy” Various medications and vaccines can cause serious side effects.
53 citations,
January 1985 in “Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica” Low-dose oral contraceptives reduced hair growth and testosterone levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
52 citations,
June 1999 in “Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America” Antiandrogen treatments combined with oral contraceptives can help manage hair growth and hair loss in women with PCOS.
50 citations,
January 2007 in “PubMed” Minoxidil 2% and 5% are common treatments for female pattern hair loss, with other options including anti-androgens, oral contraceptives, and hair transplantation.
33 citations,
November 2012 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” FPHL common in Taiwanese women; risk factors include BMI, high glucose, early puberty, fewer childbirths, oral contraceptives, and UV exposure.
23 citations,
March 1994 in “Fertility and sterility” Most patients improved with oral contraceptives, but some needed additional treatment.
19 citations,
March 2018 in “JAMA” Treat hirsutism in premenopausal women with oral contraceptives and consider additional treatments if needed.
10 citations,
April 2018 in “Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas” In 2017, Spanish dermatologists most often prescribed minoxidil and finasteride for male hair loss, and minoxidil and oral contraceptives for premenopausal female hair loss.
8 citations,
May 1991 in “PubMed” Hirsutism requires identifying the cause to choose the right treatment, which may include medications like oral contraceptives or dexamethasone.
5 citations,
June 2018 in “Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas” In 2017, Spanish dermatologists commonly prescribed topical minoxidil, oral finasteride, and nutricosmetics for hair loss, with oral contraceptives also used for premenopausal women. Less common were oral dutasteride, due to side effects, and newer, more expensive treatments like topical finasteride and Low-Level Laser Therapy. The conclusion is that there's a need for prescription guidelines due to varied treatment approaches.
3 citations,
January 2020 in “Skin appendage disorders” In Spain, dermatologists most commonly prescribe topical minoxidil and oral finasteride for male hair loss, and topical minoxidil and oral contraceptives for female hair loss. The use of oral dutasteride and oral minoxidil has significantly increased over the past three years.
1 citations,
January 2007 in “Humana Press eBooks” Effective treatments for excessive body hair in women include drugs that block androgens, sometimes combined with oral contraceptives.
January 2024 in “JAAD case reports” Netherton syndrome can cause severe and chronic vulvovaginal symptoms that may improve with continuous oral contraceptives.
September 2016 in “Gynecology Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine” Effective treatment for skin issues in women with PCOS includes oral contraceptives, antiandrogens, and other medications and procedures.
March 2012 in “Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology” Doctors vary in how they initially test for PCOS, but most agree on using oral contraceptives and lifestyle changes as first treatments.
Oral contraceptives may cause significant hair loss in women.
January 2007 in “The Year book of dermatology” Finasteride with oral contraceptive improves hair loss in 62% of premenopausal women.
47 citations,
July 2016 in “Current pharmaceutical design” The document concludes that managing hirsutism in PCOS involves long-term treatment guided by severity, using oral contraceptives and possibly antiandrogens, with attention to individual patient needs.
March 2002 in “Reactions Weekly” Some birth control pills increase blood clot risk; use them for specific conditions only.
April 2006 in “Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature” Oral finasteride, combined with drospirenone, improved hair loss in 62% of premenopausal women, with no reported side effects.
343 citations,
October 2015 in “Endocrine Practice” The guide recommends specific methods for diagnosing PCOS and various treatments for its symptoms, while considering the health impacts on adolescents.
343 citations,
December 2008 in “Endocrine Reviews” Metformin helps with menstrual cycles and insulin levels in PCOS but is less effective for hair growth, diabetes prevention, and weight loss, and may improve fertility and reduce diabetes risk.
124 citations,
June 2002 in “Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” Polycystic Ovary Syndrome likely starts in childhood and may be genetic and influenced by early hormone exposure.
117 citations,
May 2017 in “Human Reproduction Update” The update highlights that non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia is common in women with excess male hormones, requires specific hormone tests for diagnosis, and has various treatment options depending on age and symptoms.