What is hirsutism or excess hair?
While everyone is different, if you feel that you have more hair than you should, we can investigate why. You may notice chin hairs, chest hairs, dark hairs below your navel, or hairy arms or legs.
What causes excess hair?
There are four possibilities here, although the assumption is generally that the problem is high levels of male hormones or androgens.
- High levels of male hormones, or androgens, are present. Androgens include testosterone, DHEAs, DHT, and androstenedione. Everyone produces these hormones, but males produce more than females. Since an excess of these is connected to insulin, a family history of diabetes may indicate where the problem lies.
- Low levels of the female hormones estradiol, estrone, or progesterone. Low female hormones will look like excessive male hormones since each of these hormones balances the others.
- Genetic or cultural tendency. Certain cultures have a greater tendency to have more body or facial hair. But there can also be genetic tendencies to produce too much testosterone or other androgens, so I would always want to rule that out.
- High prolactin. Prolactin can inhibit ovulation, leading to lower estrogen and progesterone levels. Lower estrogen or progesterone (lack of female hormones) can make it appear that there is an excess of male hormones or androgens.
What is the natural treatment for hirsutism or excess hair?
While naturopathic treatment can help slow or halt the development of new excessive facial or body hair growth, it’s important to understand that hair follicles already stimulated by excess androgens—such as testosterone or DHEA-S—will continue to produce coarse hair unless physically removed. Once these follicles have transitioned from producing fine, light vellus hairs to thicker, darker terminal hairs, they typically remain active even after hormone levels are balanced.
With naturopathic treatment, our goal is to correct the underlying hormonal imbalances that drive excessive hair growth—such as elevated androgens, insulin resistance, or adrenal dysfunction. By addressing these root causes, we can effectively reduce the rate of regrowth and prevent new hairs from becoming coarser over time. However, the existing hair will often require cosmetic or medical removal methods for best results.
For this reason, I often recommend that patients combine naturopathic hormonal balancing with laser hair removal. Laser treatment can target and permanently reduce hair growth in affected areas, while naturopathic care works to prevent new hair from forming. This integrative approach offers the most effective and lasting solution for managing hirsutism naturally and sustainably.
Blood tests that may be helpful for excessive hair:
DHEAs, testosterone, androstenedione, DHT, day 3 estradiol, LH, & FSH, progesterone (day 21 of a 28-day cycle), prolactin. Your family doctor can order these tests; if they won’t, I can order them for you. OHIP does not cover the cost of the DHT blood test regardless, but OHIP would cover the rest if your doctor would order them. If he/she does, I highly recommend obtaining a copy of the blood tests and taking it to someone like me for proper analysis. Just because you fall in the lab ranges doesn’t mean your hormones are perfectly healthy. Although your doctor will rely on them, lab ranges do NOT reflect optimal hormone levels.
For help with this or any other health problem, book an appointment here or call the clinic for more information at 416-481-0222.
by Dr. Pamela Frank, BSc(Hons), ND, updated April 3, 2025
Dr. Pamela has practiced as a naturopathic doctor in Toronto since 1999. She has received numerous “Best Naturopath in Toronto” awards. She is registered with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario.
Dr. Pamela Frank uses a natural treatment approach that may include acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, diet, vitamins, supplements, and other natural remedies to restore balance and provide long-term resolution to almost any health problem.