Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS, is a common hormonal disorder that causes the reproductive hormones to become unbalanced. PCOS can cause irregular periods, fertility problems, weight gain, acne, and increased production of male hormones. It can also create small, fluid filled cysts in the ovaries, a symptom that gives the condition its name.

Another common side effect of PCOS is a type of excessive hair growth called hirsutism. Hirsutism causes thick, dark hair to grow in areas women don’t typically grow that type of hair. thick, dark hair in places women don’t usually grow hair like the face, back, stomach, and chest.

Hirsutism Causes

The most common cause of hirsutism is increased male sex hormone production from PCOS. Hirsutism hair growth tends to grow in places more typical of that of males because the body is producing more male hormones than usual. These same hormones can also cause women to experience male pattern baldness in addition to hirsutism.

Other causes of hirsutism include:

●     Cushing syndrome

●     Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

●     Anabolic steroids

●     Medications like  danazol and minoxidil

●     Being significantly overweight

●     Hormonal shifts caused by puberty, pregnancy, and the menopause

However, it’s possible to have hirsutism without any identifiable cause. If it’s something that runs in your family, you’ll be more likely to have it. Women from Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, or South Asian backgrounds are also more likely to have more body and facial hair.

Diagnosing Hirsutism and Hirsutism Treatment

One of the first steps in diagnosing hirsutism is ruling out any underlying causes like PCOS or adrenal gland disorders. This can include a pelvic exam, blood tests to review your hormone levels, and scans to check your ovaries, uterus, and adrenal glands. They will also examine your hair growth and any other symptoms you may have like acne, male pattern baldness, and weight gain.

If you’re diagnosed with PCOS, your doctor will give you advice on how to manage the condition and its symptoms. There is no cure for PCOS, but it can be effectively managed. Losing weight can make a big difference in PCOS as the more overweight you are, the worse the symptoms will be including hirsutism. Meeting with a dietician or making an appointment at a weight loss management clinic can help put you on an adaptable, realistic plan for losing weight and keeping it off. Many pharmacies also offer free weight loss advice.

Medications to regulate your hormones can be very effective at managing PCOS and hirsutism. One of the most commonly prescribed medications for PCOS and hirsutism is hormonal birth control pills. These help to balance out your hormones, mainly by lowering the amount of male sex hormones your body is producing.

If you plan to become pregnant, your healthcare provider can advise you on medications and treatments that will make it easier for you to conceive.

How to Stop Facial Hair Growth Due to PCOS

If you don’t want to take hormonal contraceptives or they don’t work for you, you can try various at-home hair removal methods. Some of the most common ways to remove hair at home include waxing, tweezing, shaving, epilation, and hair removal creams. For those who struggle to remove hair at home or are squeamish about tweezing and waxing, there are several salons and spas where you can pay to have the hair removed professionally.

Many women also use bleach to make the thick and dark appearance of the hair lighter and less noticeable.

At certain beauty salons and dermatologist offices, you may be able to get more permanent hair removal done through laser hair removal. Laser hair removal uses either a powerful laser or an intense pulsed light (IPL) to remove unwanted hair. It works by heating and destroying hair follicles in the skin in an effort to stop unwanted hair growth.

While effective, laser hair removal can be time consuming and cost-prohibitive. It often takes several sessions for you to notice any difference and you may need regular top ups to prevent the hair from coming back. There are devices you can buy to laser hair off at home, but these are not as powerful as professional devices. Even though a personal laser hair removal device is cheaper than going to a professional, they still cost hundreds of pounds.

Another effective hirsutism treatment is Vaniqa eflornithine hydrochloride cream. Vaniqa’s active ingredient, eflornithine, works by slowing down and disrupting the hair growth on your face. By using Vaniqa, your hair should come back much slower than it used to and may be thinner in appearance.

While Vaniqa doesn’t stop the hair from coming back, it does make managing your excessive hair growth more manageable. You should start to see a difference within 2-4 months of starting Vaniqa.

Vaniqa Cream

To use Vaniqa cream, apply a thin layer to the affected area on your face twice per day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Be sure to clean and dry the skin prior to applying Vaniqa and to fully rub it in when you apply it, washing your hands afterward. Try not to wash that area of your skin for at least 4 hours after application. You can apply makeup and suncream after about five minutes.

Vaniqa is only designed for use on the face so don’t apply it anywhere else on your body. Side effects aren’t common, but you may experience acne or skin irritation, redness, and tingling. These symptoms should subside after your skin gets used to Vaniqa. If you don’t notice any difference in your hair growth after 4 months of use or your side effects don’t go away, contact your prescriber or healthcare provider to discuss your options.

Sometimes Vaniqa can cause acne, as well as stinging of the skin, tingling, soreness, and redness. It is unusual for treatment to be discontinued because of these side effects.

If you have unwanted hair growth due to hirsutism, contact Pharmacy Planet where you can buy Vaniqa cream online in the UK with swift, safe, and discreet dispatch to your door.