Supplements to Treat Facial Hair in Women (Hirsutism)

Supplements to Treat Facial Hair in Women (Hirsutism)

Facial Hair in Women – What Causes it? 

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Have you noticed that you are growing hair on your face where shouldn’t?

Have you noticed that this increase in hair is getting worse as you get older?

Believe it or not, this is actually fairly common and it has a name:

Hirsutism (1). 

Hirsutism is the official medical name given to facial hair which grows on women in a pattern that is normally found on men. 

And it’s quite emotionally distressing! 

It can leave women feeling self-conscious and result in costly therapies and treatments in an attempt to remove it. 

Today we are going to talk about TREATING this facial hair in a natural way. 

In order to dive in, you should be aware of a few simple facts about this type of facial hair in women. 

The first is that it’s almost always caused by problems with your sex hormones, predominately testosterone

The manifestation of facial hair in women usually indicates a problem with too much testosterone activity. 

Another word for this is androgenic activity which refers to testosterone activity at the cellular level. 

While testosterone is incredibly beneficial for women, you only want it in certain amounts. 

If you have too much testosterone activity in your body you will start to experience symptoms such as acne, facial hair growth, and even male pattern baldness. 

The key to preventing facial hair is all in your sex hormones. 

While testosterone is important for women, it must be balanced by estrogen and progesterone. 

If you have estrogen and progesterone problems then you will automatically see testosterone problems. 

You will not have any facial hair as long as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are in balance. 

As women age, they see a decline in both progesterone and estrogen levels. 

Progesterone tends to start declining rapidly around age 35 and estrogen takes a more rapid decline later in life with menopause

As both of these hormones fall, it allows testosterone to slowly creep up to higher and higher levels. 

This is why facial hair typically doesn’t manifest until later in life UNLESS you suffer from PCOS. 

PCOS sets the stage for all of the hormone imbalances which lead to hirsutism but it can occur much much earlier. 

Using Anti-Androgenic Supplements to Treat Facial Hair in Women

If you are serious about getting rid of your facial hair then you should be aware of a few important facts:

The first is that facial hair can be tricky to treat and you should not rely solely upon these supplements to completely fix the problem. 

Supplements can be powerful tools but I never recommend you use them without any additional therapies. 

You’ll get much better results if you combine these supplements with changes to your diet, regular and routine exercise, reducing your stress, and making sure you sleep a solid 8 hours each night. 

The second is that you not only want to focus on reducing testosterone (or androgenic activity) but you also need to balance your estrogen and progesterone levels

You will find that some of these supplements work because they help to improve your progesterone levels or to balance your estrogen levels. 

Remember:

Estrogen and progesterone have a natural testosterone-blocking effect, so you can impact your testosterone by impacting these other hormones. 

Okay, with this information out of the way let’s jump in: 

#1. Bio-identical Progesterone

Progesterone is #1 for a good reason. 

It’s probably the single most important hormone you need to focus on balancing when it comes to naturally managing hirsutism. 

While progesterone is VERY important for general female health, it’s also important for managing facial hair in women for the following reasons: 

As we talk about reducing testosterone you will see that many of the supplements listed here have some impact on the 5-a reductase enzyme. 

This enzyme is responsible for turning testosterone into the much more potent androgen known as dihydrotestosterone or DHT. 

DHT is much more potent than testosterone and causes both facial hair growth and hair loss (male pattern). 

Any therapy which reduces the activity of this enzyme will help with facial hair and progesterone is one of those!

Progesterone also helps by reducing another hormone known as luteinizing hormone or LH for short. 

LH is produced in the pituitary gland and it tells your body to produce more testosterone. 

Taking progesterone will feedback and reduce LH levels which will reduce testosterone production.

You can get all of the benefits from progesterone in 1 of 2 ways:

– Naturally increase your progesterone levels

– OR take bio-identical progesterone either through a cream, gel, or a capsule/pill 

Depending on your preference, and your progesterone level, you may want to choose one or both of the two methods listed above. 

The fastest and quickest acting method is to use a progesterone supplement. 

How do you get progesterone?

Fortunately, progesterone, while it is a hormone, is available over the counter in the United States.

The only form of progesterone NOT available over the counter is the capsule version known as Prometrium. 

Make sure you do NOT confuse progesterone with birth control pills!

Birth control contains a synthetic version of progesterone which is NOT the same thing as the bio-identical version of testosterone I am referring to here. 

Only use that version if you want to have the desired benefits I’ve mentioned above. 

#2. Zinc

When it comes to women’s health, I can’t think of a nutrient more important than zinc!

Not only does zinc help regulate your thyroid, but it also helps keep your sex hormones balanced. 

When you consider that so many women are zinc deficient, it’s no wonder that they struggle with both thyroid and hormone imbalances in record numbers. 

Zinc has plenty of very important and beneficial effects, but the ones we are going to focus on today are those which impact your androgen and progesterone levels. 

Zinc has an impact on the enzyme 5-a reductase (4) (the one we mentioned above), which helps to reduce the conversion of testosterone to DHT. 

If you have ever struggled with acne then you probably are aware that zinc is often recommended as a treatment for certain types of acne, including hormonal acne. 

And the reason it works is because of its impact on this enzyme and its impact on androgenic activity in your body. 

But that’s not all. 

Zinc also has a progesterone boosting effect on progesterone. 

So zinc can be taken, if you are deficient, to help normalize your progesterone and therefore your ovulatory cycle. 

How do you get it? 

You can consume zinc-rich foods but I personally don’t think this is the best method to get zinc. 

A more reliable way to get zinc is through supplementation. 

When you supplement with zinc try to get low doses as higher doses can cause stomach upset. 

I prefer doses in the 10mg per day range but some supplements go as high as 30mg per day. 

#3. Reishi Mushroom

Reishi mushroom can help in two very important ways:

The first is through its impact on 5a-reductase and its ability to downregulate this receptor. 

The other is through its impact on the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary axis). 

The HPA system is the system in your body that manages your stress. 

Heavy stress can lead to damage to this system which results in issues with cortisol and your ability to manage stress. 

The more stress you are under the more damage you may experience in this system. 

We care about the HPA axis because it, as well as cortisol, indirectly impacts other hormones such as progesterone and estrogen. 

As a woman, you probably know that severe stress can impact your menstrual cycle either by causing it to come early or delaying it by several days. 

Daily stressors have a much smaller effect on this system but they do add up over time. 

Taking Reishi mushroom may help regulate and support the HPA axis which helps balance your hormones in an indirect way. 

#4. DIM (Diindolylmethane)

Next up is something called diindolylmethane or DIM for short. 

DIM is a naturally occurring compound found in certain types of vegetables (cruciferous vegetables). 

The reason we care about DIM is because of its impact on estrogen metabolism. 

Many women don’t realize that there are harmful estrogens as well as beneficial estrogens and these estrogens must play together nicely in a harmonious balance. 

DIM acts by helping the body ELIMINATE the more potent and harmful estrogens (5) while providing more of the healthy and less potent forms of estrogen. 

For those who tend to be on the more nerdy side, these estrogens include 2-hydroxy estrone and 2-methoxy estrone. 

How does this relate to facial hair?

Well if you recall from my previous comments in the beginning, if you can do anything to naturally improve estrogen levels then you will naturally reduce testosterone. 

In addition, it seems that DIM has the effect of blocking androgen receptors (probably because of its impact on estrogen metabolism). 

How do you get DIM into your diet?

The good news about DIM is that you can both supplement with it as well as consume it in foods. 

Consuming cruciferous vegetables such as Kale, Cabbage, and Brussel Sprouts will help you get more in your diet. 

And if you want an extra added boost you can also take it in supplement form as well.  

#5. Melatonin

Lastly, another supplement you can consider to help is melatonin. 

But before you run out and start using it make sure you read this section. 

Melatonin is classified as a hormone even though it is available over the counter. 

And using hormones always come with some potential problems as they feedback to reduce the amount of hormone that your own body can produce naturally. 

Melatonin is no different in this regard. 

Having said that, we do have some studies which show that using melatonin can help improve the symptoms of PCOS (6). 

We also know that taking melatonin can help improve sleep, reduce inflammation, and reduce oxidative stress. 

It’s probably because of its impact on sleep that it reduces inflammation but the exact mechanism isn’t clear. 

What is clear though is this:

Your body NEEDS to get enough sleep each and every night. 

And not getting enough sleep is enough to disrupt your hormones (including testosterone and estrogen) as well as inflammatory levels in your body. 

In this sort of situation, melatonin use may be warranted and beneficial. 

But I would not recommend taking melatonin unless you are also having issues with sleep. 

I would also start with the other supplements listed above before using this one. 

The Bottom Line? 

Let’s wrap this up in a couple of easy-to-understand sentences. 

If you are suffering from facial hair growth remember that it is never a normal sign and that there are things that you can do. 

The supplements I’ve listed above can all potentially help with this problem but always use them in conjunction with other natural therapies, hormones, medications, and lifestyle changes. 

The best way to manage facial hair growth is to focus on balancing your estrogen and progesterone levels. 

As you do this you will naturally reduce testosterone levels and balance your other hormones along the way. 

Now I want to hear from you:

Are you currently suffering from facial hair growth?

Do you know if your testosterone is out of balance?

What about your estrogen and progesterone? Have you had any of these sex hormones tested recently?

Have you tried any therapies to help reduce your facial hair? If so, did they work?

Leave your questions or comments down below! 

#1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14523-hirsutism

#2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1828548/

#3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15728200/

#4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6200703/

#5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3048776/

#6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6943797/

these supplements naturally treat facial hair in women

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About Dr. Westin Childs

Hey! I'm Westin Childs D.O. (former Osteopathic Physician). I don't practice medicine anymore and instead specialize in helping people like YOU who have thyroid problems, hormone imbalances, and weight loss resistance. I love to write and share what I've learned over the years. I also happen to formulate the best supplements on the market (well, at least in my opinion!) and I'm proud to say that over 80,000+ people have used them over the last 7 years. You can read more about my own personal health journey and why I am so passionate about what I do.

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51 thoughts on “Supplements to Treat Facial Hair in Women (Hirsutism)”

  1. When you finally reach balance within the hormones again, does the increased facial hair reduce on its own? Or will whatever growth you have remain?

    Reply
    • Hi Ashley,

      It should decrease as hormone balance improves unless it’s there for some other reason such as genetics.

      Reply
  2. Hey. I don’t know if you will read this but I hope so. Im really desperate for help. So I do have pcos, my doctor says my testosterone levels is normal. But my estrogen is little low. I have weight problems, even tho I did cut out carbs and sugar. Facial hair since I was 16, I am 27 now. I have lost alot of hair and its dry. Muøy skin is dry and I have kp on my arms. Even exess bodyhair. My doctor says I have normal levels of thyroid. Im very often sick with fever and cold, always tired and bodypain, headaches etc. I feel there is no help from my doctor. What should I do?

    Reply
  3. Dr. Childs,
    I’ve read many of your articles as I am trying to find the best path forward for my particular concerns. I don’t expect a response as I’m sure you are busy with so many other things! However, one can try. 😉 I do have excess facial hair (which I’ve unsuccessfully treated with laser hair removal). Here is the thing: I’m nearly 40, very fit, thin, and live an active, quite healthy lifestyle. My diet is as clean as I can make it (within a reasonable budget) and I don’t eat sugar, whites (never have…was raised in a very healthy home). I have never been overweight or struggled with health issues. I am rarely ill, and do not have chronic pain. Normal bowels – the whole nine. So! Why is my DHEA-S REALLY elevated? I don’t fit into the PCOS model because I have very regular periods that haven’t changed since I was young. I don’t fit into low thyroid b/c I have maybe one of the many symptoms. My adrenals used to be sluggish, but I jumped into some stress reduction and supplements and my energy levels are great now. I had another panel done (yes, allopathically so perhaps it missed something) and my DHEA-S is STILL elevated. I’ve seen a naturopath and now can’t afford one, so found a naturally minded P.A. in my area. What would cause elevated DHEA-S? Exposure? Something I’m allergic to that I don’t recognize? I have had severe stress in my life, (mostly unexpected losses) but not for quite some time. Would this have an impact? All I read about DHEA-S just doesn’t seem to fit, but yet, here I am. Any direction you could point me? I meet with my doctor soon and I want to be prepared. I refuse to go pharma route. Thank you for sharing your brilliant expertise and articles!

    Reply
    • I could’ve wrote exactly what you wrote. My DHEA is high but I have great energy levels, eat healthy, exercise and am at a healthy weight, normal periods, no pcos. I do have facial hair so something must be off. I guess I’ll start taking my ashwaghanda more regularly and increase cruciferous veggies and see if that helps‍♀️

      Reply
    • Hi Silvia,

      DIM helps to metabolize estrogen and acne can flare up based on estrogen levels so it makes sense that some people may experience acne as they detoxify various types of estrogen metabolites from their body.

      Reply
  4. Hi Dr. Childs!

    My daughter (17 yrs old) is experiencing several symptoms. One being extra facial hair and body hair (upper back, stomach area and course the normal areas), but it is excessive. She is also dealing with terrible acne. She is currently on a progesterone pill (14 days on 14 days off) according to her cycle. They put her on Spironolactone two months ago (which I wasn’t a fan, but felt desperate). Should we add DIM or any other supplements?!

    Reply
  5. Saw palmetto wasn’t mentioned in this article

    is better to use reishi than saw palmetto?
    Does it have a more potent effect?

    Reply
  6. Hi Dr. Childs,

    Thank you so much for this article! I’ve been following your work for quite some time, and have been searching for articles on this topic with little success.

    I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s about 5 years ago, and suffered from serious issues for a year before the diagnosis. That time period led me to you and others in the holistic and alternative space. I have made many lifestyle changes with diet etc., and currently take Tirosint gel capsules since the Nature Throid recall. You are actually the reason I never went on Synthroid or Levothyroxine generic tablets, so I can’t thank you enough for the information you provide to people!

    Over the last 5 years I’ve noticed an increase in this issue with my body/facial hair, and other than topical treatments have not found answers for the root cause. I’m definitely going to try some of these.

    I do know my Testosterone runs from normal to high, but do you know what this would mean if my Progesterone runs high as well? DHEA-S is always high too.

    Many thanks!

    Reply
  7. Thank you so much Dr Childs!! You explain everything so well! What if you are post menopausal? Are the supplement recommendations the same and is it possible to obtain a balance of Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone after menopause?

    Reply
  8. Hi Dr. Child’s,
    I have hypothyroidism and have been told to stay away from soy. Would that apply to a progesterone cream with soy in it as well? And do you have a recommendation of an OTC progesterone cream?

    Reply
  9. I have Hashimoto’s, am 70 years old. Too my great sorrow, I have been experiencing hair loss for quite some time but don’t know how to prevent it.
    I recently have noticed that I am growing fine facial hair.

    Is there a blood test that I could take to determine what my hormone levels are? Is there a Dr. who could help me to balance them out, at my age?

    Reply
    • Hi Estella,

      Hmm, there are some that are available but they are expensive and I’m not convinced they are as accurate as other methods. The best method would be to get them from your doctor so you can get insurance to cover them.

      Reply
  10. I began experiencing facial hair after the right lobe of my thyroid was removed in February. The facial hair is on the left side of my face. Do you think it is because of my thyroid medication and the fact that the left side of the thyroid is still intact?

    Reply
    • Hi Sheila,

      I’m not sure what to make of the one sided hair growth but it could certainly be from your thyroid if they are temporally related.

      Reply
  11. Hi Dr. Westin,

    I have had a complete hysterectomy and do take Premarin for my menopause symptoms (lowest dose), but was wondering about progesterone, since after my surgery the doctors said I no longer needed progesterone… and it makes me wonder how my body would balance these hormones without those organs that typically regulate or create these hormones.

    Reply
    • Hi Wendy,

      Progesterone is still important for those who no longer have a uterus. Many other tissues, including the breasts, use progesterone.

      Reply
  12. I am a breast cancer survivor. My cancer was Estrogen and Progesterone receptive. I am suffering with hair loss, hair growth on my face and acne. I am 70 and have never been able to take hormone replacement therapy. Are any of the suggestions you have provided safe for someone in my position? Thank you

    Reply
  13. Hi,
    I do not have excessive hair growth, however, whilst doing my bloods for my thyroids, it was noted that I have very very low levels of Testosterone.
    Should I be concerned about this.

    Reply
  14. Hi Dr. Child’s,
    I’m 63, hypothyroid, I take Armour thyroid 60mgs. Hot flashes, the part on my hair is wider than it used to be. Ive gained ten pounds in the past year. And have the facial hair daily. I’m doing a anti-inflammation diet currently, started a week ago. Getting my Progesterone and Estrogen serum levels checked on 10/5. What do my levels need to be, and an I doing the right things?

    Reply
  15. With little advice and interest from GPs (and limited medication in the uk) for thyroid and related problems, you are an absolute God send in helping people understand and improve our health and lives. You are helping so many people where otherwise we are ignored. I cannot thank you enough.

    Reply
  16. Is not biotin a way to increase estrogen levels (specially estradiol)?
    And when the hormones imbalance is consequence of endometriosis (estrogen in excess) and Ehlers-Danlos (low progesterone, high estrogen)- is the same supplements indications apply in this situations?
    And if you please, can you write about the CNS and ANS connection to endocrine system? Many readers would be happy to hear your point of view!
    Thank you so much for your attentive and enlighten work!

    Reply
  17. In ref to all the things you list for facial hair. Do you have a supplement on your website. Or where is the best place to purchase these supplements

    Reply
    • Hi Pam,

      I do not have a supplement for all of the recommendations but the links above should take you to products with those ingredients 🙂

      Reply
  18. I’ve had unwanted facial hair under my chin for about 3-4 years now. I haven’t had any testosterone, estrogen or progesterone levels tested so I have no idea where they stand. But I will look into making an appt. to have them checked. I did have the majority of my thyroid removed in Jan. 2021 and I’m on Levothyroxine. I wish I never ended up having thyroid issues. Its really been a struggle for me.

    Reply
  19. Hello, I thought ashwagandha could raise testosterone levels, so wasn’t the best adaptive for people with a history of pcos? What do you think about this?

    Reply
    • Hi Rachel,

      I believe the impact ashwagandha has on testosterone is more due to its stabilizing effects on DHEA and adrenal function. I don’t think you should take this to mean that it always increases testosterone but rather that it normalizes adrenal and hormone function in those with dysfunction. In other words, if your testosterone is low it may increase it to normal levels and if your testosterone is high it may lower it to normal levels.

      Reply
  20. I AM A 82 OLD PERSON . I HAD ABDOMEN SURGERY FOR CANCER 18MONTHS AGO AND DOING REASONABLY WELL. SINCE I HAD MY SUEGERY I HAVE STARTED TO GROW FACIAL HAIR I NEVER HAD BEFORE, THANK GOODNES IT IS VERY LIGHT IN COLOUR AND NOT TERRIBLY NOTICABLE BUT I CAN FEEL IT WHEN I RUB MY FACE WITH MY HANDS. I TAKE IT AWAY WITH HAIR REMOVING CREAM BUT JUST GROWS BACK PRICILY CAN YOU PLEASE ADVISE ME WHAT IS BEST FOR ME TO DO. I REALY THANK THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PROFESSIONAL ADVISE THANK YOU AGAIN doctor

    Reply
  21. Dear Dr. Childs,
    I’m so glad to have found your wonderful website. I’m from Europe an my testosterone is too high. My hirsutism in my face is getting worser. My progesterone defiency is enorm, the level doesn’t exist. But now I have new hope, because I substitute bioidentical progesterone. My anti muellerian hormone level is too high. My estrogen levels are normal. Is it possible, that progesterone deficiency could lead to high testosterone? I’m not insulin resistant and I have a healthy body mass index. I’m looking forward to your helpful advice. Nice greetings from Europe, Michelle

    Reply
  22. Dr. Childs,

    Thank you for the this post the information is extremely helpful. Just wondering what are some of the best ways to increase the natural bio-identical estrogens ?

    Thanks,

    Reply
  23. What if you have had issues, constipation, major hair loss, lack of sleep, irritability for a year before finding out you have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism and now taking Tirosint with a lot of issues being better.
    But…I also had a total hysterectomy when I was 35 and now getting ready to turn 67.
    I have an endocrinologist as of 3-1/2 months ago, is she able to run hormone labs on me? I seriously need help in the hormone lane as I have none! What should I do?

    Reply
  24. I’ve been taking bio identical hormone therapy. Today was my second pellet insertion. Prior to bio identical hormone therapy My testosterone level was 41 after my first pellet insertion it was 335! That’s crazy and yes after the second treatment I notice a significant increase in facial hair. My last testosterone level is 207. But my estradiol level is alway 15 and I see nothing about progesterone unless there is another name for it in the lab report. My question is why so much testosterone? And what are the levels of balanced estrogen and progesterone? I’m worried I’m wasting my money here. I have noticed a significant reduction in hot flashes. But that’s about it. Besides the facial hair I have gained a few uncomfortable pounds. Not much increase in energy levels if any at all. I’m thinking of using my progesterone cream while on this therapy but not sure if I should. I’ve also been looking into taking a multivitamin supplement. I’m a bit frustrated with this therapy. Any suggestions? Thank you

    Reply

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