A 29-year-old woman with PCOS is concerned about her increased hair growth on her face, chest, and back. She wants to know her options for managing this issue.
This patient is experiencing hirsutism, a common symptom of PCOS due to increased androgen production. Initial management can include mechanical methods of hair removal such as shaving, waxing, or laser hair removal. Medical treatment options include oral contraceptives, which can decrease androgen production, or anti-androgen medications like spironolactone. It's important to note that these treatments usually need to be continued long term to maintain their effect.