male body hair growth

Is there any medication to either decrease body hair or to make it grow shorter permanently, maybe by manipulating androgens without serious side effect?

Thanks

[ClaraJanie]

If you are a woman who has excess androgens, there are medications that can help stop the growth by correcting the hormonal excess. There probably are side effects but if they are usually minor for most people (if they weren't the drugs wouldn't be on the market). I don't think there is anything to make hair grow shorter permanently.

If you are a man, and you have an excess of androgens, there are probably medications to bring your levels to normal level. If all the men in your family are hairy, then it's genetic. Personally, I like hairy men with lots of testosterone. I'm very feminine, and I like men very masculine. I realize, however, that young people today are into this hairless revolution I don't quite understand. If you're very hairy you can investigate laser removal of hair. I think after a few treatments it's supposed to be permanent. I don't think there is anything to make hair grow shorter permanently.

Regardless of your sex, if you're concerned about your hormone levels, ask your doctor to check them.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Hirsutism is usually caused by hormonal imbalance and in women PCOS is one of the leading causes of hirsutism and infertility. The methods of hair removal are shaving, chemical depilation by using depilatory creams, temporary epilation by plucking, tweezing, waxing and permanent epilation by electrolysis, thermolysis and laser hair removal.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.