PCOS & Facial Hair: Causes, Signs & Tips to Manage

If you've started to notice darker, thicker hair growing on your face, pay more attention to it. This could be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common hormonal condition affecting women of reproductive age. PCOS can show up in different ways — irregular periods, acne, weight gain, thinning hair, or even unexpected facial hair growth. PCOS facial hair refers to excess hair growing in areas more typical for men, such as the chin, upper lip, or jawline. It’s one of the more visible and frustrating signs of the condition, and a result of higher-than-normal androgen levels in the body.

A few strands on your chin or face might not seem alarming, but when paired with irregular periods, the condition can become stressful. Perhaps, with early detection, healthy lifestyle changes, and a relaxed mind, you can take control of your PCOS journey. 

PCOS can lead to excessive facial hair growth or hirsutism due to higher levels of androgens (male hormones). This often appears as dark, coarse hair on the upper lip, chin, and other areas, rather than the fine ‘peach fuzz’ typically seen. While it is not physically painful, it can affect self-esteem and confidence. Managing PCOS-related facial hair focuses on correcting the hormonal imbalance through lifestyle changes, medications, and hair removal techniques. 

Hirsutism affects 5%-10% of women of childbearing age and occurs in over 40% of women with PCOS. While it does not impact physical health, it can have significant psychosocial and psychological effects, influencing how you feel about yourself and how society perceives you. This may lead to emotional stress, anxiety, and depression.

In this blog, we’ll take you through the root causes of PCOS-related hair growth, early signs to look for, natural remedies, and practical ways to manage it with care and compassion. 

What does PCOS facial hair look like?

Women typically have fine, soft facial hair, commonly known as peach fuzz. However, when there's a surge in androgen hormones (like testosterone), the hair follicles can produce thick, coarse, and dark hair in areas such as the face, chest, abdomen, and back. This type of hair resembles the growth found on the scalp, underarms, or genital areas. As a result, areas that normally have soft, light hair (peach fuzz) may develop darker, more prominent hair strands due to PCOS.

Why does PCOS cause facial hair growth?

It all comes down to the hormones. Excessive facial hair growth can be caused due to a range of factors like increased androgen hormones, insulin resistance, hirsutism, and other hormonal imbalances. Below are the answers to all the whys and hows of PCOS and facial hair.

• Insulin resistance: Insulin is the hormone that signals your body to convert glucose (sugar) into energy. This energy is then used as fuel for muscle growth and other essential functions. When insulin signalling is disrupted, the pancreas compensates by producing more insulin, leading to a condition known as insulin resistance. This imbalance contributes to PCOS and facial hair. 

• Family history: A family history of PCOS or hirsutism raises the risk of developing facial hair and PCOS. Some women may experience hirsutism even with ‘normal’ androgen levels due to heightened sensitivity of hair follicles, and South Asian women often show symptoms at lower testosterone levels compared to Western women.

• Androgen imbalance: Elevated insulin levels can stimulate the ovaries to produce more androgens (male hormones like testosterone). These hormones stimulate hair follicles to produce thick, dark and coarse strands in unusual areas like the face, chin, abdomen, and back. One of the hallmark features of PCOS is increased androgen levels, which also contribute to other skin-related symptoms such as acne and excess facial hair.

• Hirsutism: Majorly affecting individuals managing PCOS, hirsutism refers to excessive hair growth in women in areas typically associated with male-pattern growth, such as the face, chest, or back. This occurs when elevated androgen levels stimulate terminal hair (thick, dark hair) to grow on androgen-sensitive areas such as the upper lip, chin, chest, and abdomen.

Tips to stop facial hair growth due to PCOS naturally

Before we delve into this, remember that your body is uniquely yours, and only you get to choose what feels right for you. If facial hair doesn't bother you, embrace it confidently. But if you’re someone who is struggling with excessive facial hair and PCOS, you may try out these natural methods:

• Spearmint tea: Recent studies suggest that spearmint tea may lower androgen levels (male hormones) in women with PCOS. Drinking spearmint tea twice daily for 30 days can lead to significantly reduced androgen levels, which helps reduce facial hair growth over time. So, swap your afternoon tea or coffee with a cup of spearmint tea and support hormonal balance. It is strongly recommended to consult a doctor before adding this to your daily routine. 

• Choose healthy carbs: As mentioned earlier, insulin is one of the primary factors for increased androgen production, which is one of the key drivers of PCOS facial hair. While many recommend cutting carbs completely, this can cause energy crashes and is hard to sustain. A smarter approach is to replace refined carbohydrates with complex, low-GI alternatives. For example, swap white bread for brown bread, jowar, or millets. Similarly, choose oats or unsweetened granola flakes instead of highly processed cereals.

• Limit dairy: Research studies have suggested the hormone found in most dairy products, IGF-1, may increase the growth of hair follicles. Interestingly, this hormone is also responsible for stimulating sebum production, leading to acne. It’s advisable to swap your dairy foods with healthier vegan alternatives like tofu, soy milk, oat milk, and almond milk.

Diet & lifestyle tips to control PCOS facial hair

To naturally reduce PCOS facial hair, consider strategies that will help you regulate blood sugar levels and hormonal imbalances as well as support weight loss. Here are some effective methods:

• Dietary changes: Incorporate a diet low in carbs and refined sugars and rich in nutrients like protein and soluble fibre. This can help manage insulin resistance, one of the key drivers of PCOS, and may reduce androgen levels.

• Regular exercise: Consistent physical activity helps regulate hormonal imbalance, boost blood flow, support weight management, and release endorphins that calm the mind. These benefits collectively aid in reducing excessive facial hair growth due to PCOS.

• Manage stress: Chronic stress can worsen PCOS symptoms. Practising relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing can lower stress levels and support hormonal balance.

When to see a doctor?

If you’re noticing increased facial hair, irregular menstrual cycles, persistent acne, unexpected weight gain, or emotional ups and downs, it could be linked to an underlying hormonal condition. Speaking to a healthcare professional can make all the difference. Early diagnosis and the right support can help manage symptoms like PCOS and facial hair, reduce long-term health risks, and improve your overall well-being. Hirsutism and its visible effects can lower self-esteem, increase anxiety, and affect quality of life. It can be helpful to seek support from patient groups and consider consulting a mental health professional for guidance and coping strategies.

The final takeaway

Excess facial hair is a common yet often emotionally taxing symptom of PCOS. PCOS and facial hair can affect how you see yourself, especially when they begin to impact your confidence. But it’s important to know that with the right care, mindset, and support, this condition can be managed effectively. A balanced diet, regular movement, and a calm, compassionate mindset can go a long way. But above all, listen to your body, follow what feels right for you, and when needed, be your own cheerleader. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does PCOS cause excessive facial hair growth?

PCOS leads to a hormonal imbalance, particularly elevated levels of androgens (male hormones like testosterone). These hormones can trigger hirsutism, a condition that causes coarse, dark hair to grow in areas like the face, chest, back, and abdomen. 

2. Can facial hair caused by PCOS be reduced naturally?

Yes, natural methods like dietary changes, herbal teas (such as spearmint), stress management, and regular exercise can help balance hormones and reduce excess facial hair over time. 

3. How do I know if my facial hair is due to PCOS?

If you’re noticing coarse, dark hair growth on areas like your chin, upper lip, or jawline along with symptoms like irregular periods, acne, or weight gain, it could be linked to PCOS.