5. Certain Medications Can Affect Hair Growth
Sometimes the explanation may be hiding in the medicine cabinet.
A number of medicines and hormone-containing products have been associated with increased facial or body hair.
Examples can include certain testosterone or androgen products, anabolic steroids, DHEA supplements, danazol and minoxidil, among others. Mayo Clinic also notes that skin-to-skin exposure to another person’s topical androgen product can sometimes affect hormone exposure.
Never stop a prescribed medication simply because you notice facial hair.
Instead, tell your healthcare provider when the change started and provide a complete list of prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, supplements, hormone products and topical treatments you use.
That timeline can provide an important clue.
6. Less Common Hormonal Conditions Can Also Cause Excess Hair
PCOS gets much of the attention, but it isn’t the only condition associated with hirsutism.
Less commonly, excessive hair growth may occur with conditions affecting the adrenal glands or other parts of the endocrine system.
These include conditions such as Cushing syndrome and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Rarely, an androgen-producing tumor involving an ovary or adrenal gland can lead to rapidly increasing facial or body hair.
The word rarely matters here.
Finding a chin hair is not a reason to assume something serious is happening.
What makes doctors more concerned is a sudden and dramatic change.
Pay Attention To How Fast The Hair Appears
The speed of change can sometimes be more informative than the hair itself.
Gradual development of several coarse hairs over many years is generally less concerning than suddenly developing substantial facial or body hair within several months.
Mayo Clinic recommends medical assessment when severe or rapidly progressing facial or body hair develops over a relatively short period, particularly when it occurs with signs of virilization.
Possible warning signs include:
- Rapidly increasing facial or body hair
- A noticeably deeper voice
- Significant new scalp hair loss
- Increased muscle development without an obvious explanation
- Severe or rapidly worsening acne
- Enlargement of the clitoris
- Major menstrual changes
These symptoms do not tell you what the cause is, but they do justify prompt medical evaluation.
