PCOS Symptoms & Causes The Link Between PCOS and Excess Facial Hair By Nicole Galan, RN facebook twitter linkedin Nicole Galan, RN, is a registered nurse and the author of "The Everything Fertility Book." Learn about our editorial process Nicole Galan, RN Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD on October 18, 2020 facebook twitter linkedin instagram Anita Sadaty, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at North Shore University Hospital and founder of Redefining Health Medical. Learn about our Medical Review Board Anita Sadaty, MD Updated on February 27, 2021 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes When PCOS Is to Blame Treatment Options Facial hair growth by itself does not indicate that you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), though hirsutism (unwanted or excess body hair) is one of the most distressing symptoms of PCOS. In some cases, the exact cause of facial hair in women is never known, although it often runs in families. Philipp Nemenz / Getty Images Symptoms of Hirsutism Most women have fine, light-colored, and barely noticeable thin hairs (called vellus hairs) that grow above the lips, on the chin, chest, abdomen, or back—this is usually referred to as peach fuzz and is normally developed in childhood. When women have coarse, visible, dark hairs growing in the place of the vellus hairs in these areas, the condition is called hirsutism. These coarse hairs are referred to as terminal or androgenic hairs, which normally develop during puberty. Causes If your body makes too many androgens or male hormones, like testosterone, you may experience unwanted hair growth, especially in the central part of your body (between your breasts, belly button, inner thighs). Some causes of excess androgen productions, and thus hirsutism, may include the following conditions: PCOSA tumor or cancer of the adrenal glandA tumor or cancer of the ovaryThyroid diseaseCushings syndromeCongenital adrenal hyperplasiaHyperthecosis (a condition in which the ovaries produce too many male hormones)Excess growth hormoneInsulin resistance Hirsutism is tied to the use of certain medicines and supplements, including but not limited to:TestosteroneProgestinsDanazol Anabolic steroidsDHEAGlucocorticoids When PCOS Is to Blame Though there is no definitive test for PCOS, a diagnosis is usually made after your doctor conducts an extensive review of your medical history and confirms the presence of symptoms such as: Irregular or absent menstrual periodsSigns of hyperandrogenism—like facial hair, hair loss, and acne—without another medical causeWeight gain or trouble losing weight and/or diabetesSkin tags in the armpit or neck areaDarkening skin, especially along the neck, groin, or underneath breasts To distinguish PCOS from other conditions, your doctor will likely take a full medical history and perform a physical and pelvic examination to look for signs of PCOS (such as swollen ovaries or a swollen clitoris). Usually, they'll also order blood tests to measure the following hormone levels: Thyroid function test to determine thyroid hormones produced by the bodyFasting glucose test to measure blood sugar levelsLipid level tests to assess blood cholesterol Other tests may also be ordered, such as: A pelvic ultrasound (sonogram) to create real-time images of your reproductive organs to check for ovarian cysts and to look at the endometrium (lining of uterus)A pelvic laparoscopy (a surgical procedure) to check for growths on your ovaries using a small cameraA tissue biopsy, if growths on your ovaries are present Once all of the prescribed tests are complete, the doctor will look at all of the results and clinical information to come to a medical diagnosis. If you think your PCOS may be the cause of your hirsutism, you should see your physician about your symptoms. Treatment Options Since hair grows in different phases, in long six-month cycles, hirsutism is generally a long-term condition. There are multiple treatment methods for unwanted hair and some treatments are more effective than others. Some examples include: Medication, such as birth control pills and anti-androgen drugs, such as Aldactone (spironolactone)Electrolysis, which has risks including swelling, scarring, and redness of the skinLaser hair reduction (this method works best on fair-skinned people with very dark hair)ShavingChemicals, plucking, and waxing For overweight or obese women, weight loss may help reduce excess hair growth. The Best Diet for Managing PCOS Symptoms Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Office on Women's Health. Polycystic ovary syndrome. Updated April 1, 2019. Cleveland Clinic. Excessive hair growth (hirsutism). Updated January 13, 2018. Mihailidis J, Dermesropian R, Taxel P, Luthra P, Grant-Kels JM. Endocrine evaluation of hirsutism. International Journal of Women’s Dermatology. 2015;1(2):90-94. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2015.04.003 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Ovarian cysts. Updated February 2020. Agrawal N. Management of hirsutism. Indian J Endocr Metab. 2013;17(7):77. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.119511