Why Do Women Develop Facial Hair in Menopause?

Did you know that 39% of menopausal women notice a change in their facial hair? Some women are genetically disposed to have very few hair follicles on their face. Which will never develop because of the hormone changes in menopause. Yet, many women do notice that the natural downy fine hair on their face becomes much more coarse. They will develop into whiskers on their chin and upper lip. 

So what causes menopausal facial hair? 

Excess circulating testosterone causes facial hair. As your estrogen levels start to bottom out in menopause, your testosterone becomes free to stimulate hair follicles in the male distribution. Which includes facial hair. Excess testosterone is most prevalent in postmenopausal years. Two years after your last period.  

Does HRT help?

It can certainly help when you get your hormones back into balance. Because when you use estrogen, it helps bind excess testosterone to prevent stimulating facial hair growth. However, HRT will not get rid of the existing facial hair. It will have to be permanently removed with laser or electrolysis. Yet, without the balance of your hormones, more facial hair will grow back.

I’ve also found that if you just have a few chin whiskers, progesterone topical usage right on the hair follicle can be helpful. It will diminish testosterone stimulation. Eventually, the follicle will stop growing hair. 

What alternative treatments work to get rid of menopausal facial hair?

The same herb that works to block men’s testosterone if they have enlarged prostates can actually help block testosterone in women. It’s often used in young women who have high testosterone levels, like those with polycystic ovary syndrome, or those who suffer from hirsutism. The herb is saw palmetto, and it can also be used for menopausal facial hair. The proper dosage is 80 to 160 milligrams a day, but you don’t want to block too much of your testosterone. That will cause weakness in your bones and muscles. 

You can also help balance all of your hormones to combat menopausal facial hair when you support your hypothalamus nutraceutically. I’ve found that my patients who take Genesis Gold® regularly get more bang for their buck when it comes to the balance of their hormones. Their endogenous hormones (hormones made naturally by the adrenal glands) are more effective. And less exogenous hormones, like bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, work better to help suppress growing excessive facial hair. In order to combat menopausal facial hair, you must reduce the masculinizing effects of testosterone on the hair follicle. As well as support your hypothalamus to keep your hormones in a natural more feminizing pattern. 

If you have any questions regarding facial hair in menopause, please join us in our Hormone Support Group. You can access it when you sign up for my free Hormone Reboot Training. I hope to see you there!