What Are the Different Types of Hirsutism Treatment?
Hirsutism, or the growth of coarse, dark hair on the face, back, chin or inner thighs, affects 5 to 15 percent of women. Having male-pattern hair growth can cause significant embarrassment and anxiety to women with this condition. Hirsutism treatment typically includes both medical and cosmetic aspects, which include suppressing excess androgen, blocking peripheral androgen and removal or destruction of unwanted hair. The first step in treating women with excess androgen is androgen suppression. Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) are used singly or in conjunction with the drug spironolactone to block ovarian androgen production. A one- to two-year course of treatment with oral contraceptives is the most frequently used medication in hirsutism treatment. Research has shown that after treatment with OCPs, androgen levels remain low for as long as two years.
