Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Medicare For Providers For Brokers For Employers Español For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families Medical Dental Other Supplemental Explore coverage through work How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics Shop for Medicare plans Member Guide Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna
Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library Unwanted Hair in Women

Unwanted Hair in Women

Condition Basics

What is unwanted hair in women?

Hirsutism (say "HER-suh-tiz-um") is extra hair on a woman's face or body. This hair is dark and coarse. It grows in a male pattern: on the face, like a man's facial hair, or on the body, especially the chest and back.

What causes it?

Usually extra hair growth (hirsutism) is not a medical problem. It can run in families or be a part of a woman's ancestry. In some women, hirsutism may be the result of higher-than-normal levels of male hormones, called androgens. These hormones are found in both men and women, although men have a lot more of them. In women, androgens are produced by the ovaries or the adrenal glands.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often have hirsutism, along with acne and irregular menstrual cycles.

But some women with hirsutism don't have PCOS or any other cause that can be identified. Their hormone levels are normal, and so are their menstrual cycles. These women had a gradual increase in coarse hair growth. It may be that they inherited hair follicles that are more sensitive to androgens.

Hirsutism may also occur in some people who have diabetes or who are obese. In rare cases, the ovaries or adrenal glands may have a problem that can cause this hair growth.

How is it treated?

Your doctor may want to do blood tests or other tests to find out if a medical problem is causing your extra hair growth (hirsutism). If the cause is not a medical problem, treating it is often a matter of choice. That's because hirsutism usually isn't a sign of a health problem. Treatments include:

Birth control pills.

This is the most common treatment. Birth control pills contain hormones, so they help balance your body's hormone level.

Antiandrogens.

These are prescription medicines that lower the amount of male sex hormones in your body.

Topical cream.

Your doctor may prescribe a cream that you rub into affected areas to slow hair growth.

Electrolysis.

This method uses a very thin probe in the hair follicle. An electric current through the probe destroys the ability of that follicle to grow hair.

Laser hair removal.

This is a medical procedure that uses light treatments to heat and destroy hair follicles.

Women who have PCOS and who are overweight may be able to reduce unwanted hair growth by reaching a healthy weight.

Some women prefer to use various home treatments for unwanted hair. These include shaving, waxing, and other methods to remove the hair.

Current as of: November 16, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

© 2024 Ignite Healthwise, LLC. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Ignite Healthwise, LLC.

Related Links

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Obesity

<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>

Page Footer

I want to...

Get an ID card File a claim View my claims and EOBs Check coverage under my plan See prescription drug list Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility Find a form Find 1095-B tax form information View the Cigna Glossary Contact Cigna

Audiences

Individuals and Families Medicare Employers Brokers Providers

Secure Member Sites

myCigna member portal Health Care Provider portal Cigna for Employers Client Resource Portal Cigna for Brokers

The Cigna Group Information

About Cigna Healthcare Company Profile Careers Newsroom Investors Suppliers The Cigna Group Third Party Administrators International Evernorth

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Privacy Legal Product Disclosures Cigna Company Names Customer Rights Accessibility Non-Discrimination Notice Language Assistance [PDF] Report Fraud Sitemap Cookie Settings

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details