I see a lot of women with excess facial hair and they find this very annoying and often embarrassing. Excess facial hair can be caused by excess testosterone levels, high cortisol levels (as in Cushing’s disease) and can also be hereditary, being more common in women from the Middle East or Mediterranean countries. Women often have laser therapy to kill the hair follicles and this works better in women with dark coloured hair. Women with high testosterone levels are at greater risk of:
  • Weight excess, especially around the torso and upper body
  • Fatty liver
  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
In women who are overweight, we usually find high levels of the hormone insulin and this is known as Syndrome X (insulin resistance). The higher insulin levels stimulate fat storing and weight gain, and often lead to a fatty liver. It is interesting to note that a high carbohydrate diet raises insulin, which in turn raises testosterone levels in the body and this results in more facial hair. High testosterone levels can also cause acne and scalp hair loss in the male pattern of balding (front and sides). I often observe that when women with facial hair go on a low carbohydrate diet that their testosterone levels reduce and their facial hair subsequently reduces. Conversely, when they eat excess carbohydrates, their testosterone levels go up and their facial hair increases. Thus what you eat has a profound effect on your hormones – especially insulin and testosterone levels. A low carbohydrate diet excludes sugar and grains such as wheat, rye, barley, oats and rice. If you eat a diet high in healthy protein, fats and vegetables you will not only lose weight, you will become less hairy. You can find this eating plan in my book called I can’t lose weight and I don’t know why. Medications that can reduce facial hair include natural bio-identical progesterone, especially in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. The diuretic drug Aldactone (spironolactone) can cause a slight reduction in facial hair, as it has an anti-androgenic effect. Male hormones are called androgens and they stimulate the growth of hair follicles on the face. In women with severe facial hair, known as hirsutism, the use of the anti-male hormone called Cyproterone acetate can be very effective in stopping unwanted facial hair. It is also important to address the syndrome X and get the elevated insulin level down. Two supplements that help to achieve this are magnesium and Glicemic Balance. Magnesium is wonderful for improving insulin sensitivity, so your body ends up secreting less. Many type 2 diabetics and people with a fatty liver are magnesium deficient. Glicemic Balance capsules are specifically formulated to help insulin work more efficiently in the body, and also for balancing the blood sugar level. They help to reduce strong cravings for sugar and carbohydrate rich foods. The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.