HomeAnswersEndocrinologyfacial hairI have hirsutism, obesity, and androgenetic alopecia. Will my facial hair reduce with treatment?

How to reduce facial hair if I suffer from hirsutism and androgenetic alopecia?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At December 24, 2022
Reviewed AtJune 19, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 31-year-old female 5.6 feet in height and 286 lbs in weight. I suffer from severe hirsutism, obesity, and badly progressed androgenetic alopecia. My concern is with treatment and weight loss my facial hair will minimize, or I have to deal with it for the rest of my life with hair removal options? Also, is there a chance for my head hair to regrow to be presentable without wigs? I am very insecure about my body and have mental problems with it. I want the truth to understand what I will have to go through over the years of my future life.

Kindly help.

Answered by Dr. Zulfiqar Ahmed

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Have you done any tests, or was any diagnosis made for you? From your history, it seems you have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), a treatable disease with proper medication and lifestyle modification. Diagnostic criteria for PCOS are clinical hyperandrogenism, biochemical hyperandrogenism (elevated total or free testosterone), oligomenorrhea (less than six to nine menses per year), oligo-ovulation and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound (more than or equal to 12 antral follicles in one ovary or ovarian volume more than or equal to 0.6 cubic inch) thyroid dysfunction, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hyperprolactinemia, androgen-secreting tumors, and Cushing’s syndrome must be excluded before making a diagnosis of PCOS.

The triad of endocrine abnormalities consists of elevated luteinizing hormone with normal follicle-stimulating hormone, elevated free testosterone, a combination of increased testosterone production and reduced sex hormone binding globulin, and insulin resistance with compensatory hyperinsulinemia. Blood should be checked during the first week after menstruation. Characteristically serum concentration of testosterone is above 72 ng/dl, and serum LH is above 10 mIU/mL. A serum testosterone level above 138 ng/dL requires the exclusion of other causes of androgen hypersecretion, such as an androgen-secreting adrenal or ovarian tumor, Cushing's syndrome, or non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia. If the ultrasound reveals polycystic ovaries, the ovaries are usually enlarged with a smooth outer covering that is thicker than normal, and the surface is covered with many small cysts with increased stroma. Up to one-third of women may have the appearance of polycystic ovaries. Of these, an estimated one-third have the polycystic ovarian syndrome. Some criteria say polycystic ovaries need not be present to diagnose PCOS; conversely, their presence alone does not establish the diagnosis.

I hope it makes sense.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I was diagnosed with PCOS, but I want to know specifically if my body hair will shed by itself, even partially or thin out, after proper treatment. Or will I have to remove it manually for the rest of my life? I need a professional's advice who is experienced in PCOS and hirsutism.

Answered by Dr. Zulfiqar Ahmed

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

There is no 100 % guarantee for any drug. But many medications in the majority of patients decrease hirsutism and androgenetic alopecia. Lifestyle modification also helps.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Zulfiqar Ahmed
Dr. Zulfiqar Ahmed

Diabetology

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