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Treatment area: Hirsutism

Unwanted hair growth in women

Thick, dark hair on the upper lip, chin, chest, or abdomen can be very distressing. It's important to have the cause investigated. Additionally, a prescription cream can slow the regrowth of facial hair; in cases of severe hirsutism, antiandrogen tablets may be considered after other treatments have been attempted.

Behandlungsoptionen vergleichenCompare treatment optionsComparer les options de traitementBehandelopties vergelijken
Ratgeber lesenRead the guideLire le guideGids lezen
  • online questionnaire
  • Medical examination
  • Discreet Shipping
  • Money back if not suitable

BehandlungsoptionenTreatment optionsOptions de traitementBehandelopties

Creams and tablets for hirsutism

Both medications require a prescription. After making your selection, you will need to complete the medical questionnaire in full. A doctor will then decide whether treatment is suitable for you.

Selbst einschätzenAssess it yourselfFaire le point vous-mêmeZelf inschatten

Which treatment might be suitable?

  1. 1 When the face and chin are primarily affected Vaniqa cream works locally and can slow down facial hair regrowth in addition to hair removal. This is only effective if the underlying cause has been medically diagnosed. The doctor will make their decision based on your questionnaire.
  2. 2 In cases of severe hirsutism where other treatments have not been sufficient. Tablets containing cyproterone acetate (Androcur) weaken the effects of male hormones throughout the body. These tablets are only considered if lower-dose preparations or other treatments have not been sufficiently effective and are used under medical supervision. The doctor will decide based on your questionnaire.
  3. 3 If hair growth has increased rapidly or other symptoms are present Speak to a local doctor beforehand, especially if you also experience a deepening of your voice, irregular or absent periods, or acne and weight gain. Hormone levels and possible underlying causes such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) should then be investigated. The doctor will determine the next steps.
  4. 4 If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding Vaniqa should not be used, and Androcur must not be taken. Women who could become pregnant take Androcur together with a combined oral contraceptive pill. Describe your situation in the questionnaire. The doctor will decide whether treatment at a later date is appropriate.

Diese Hinweise helfen bei der Orientierung und ersetzen keine ärztliche Beratung. Ob und welche Behandlung für Sie geeignet ist, entscheidet der Arzt anhand Ihres Fragebogens.This guidance helps you get your bearings and does not replace medical advice. Whether a treatment is suitable for you, and which one, is decided by the doctor on the basis of your questionnaire.Ces indications vous aident à vous orienter et ne remplacent pas un avis médical. C’est le médecin qui décide, sur la base de votre questionnaire, si un traitement vous convient et lequel.Deze aanwijzingen helpen u op weg en vervangen geen medisch advies. Of en welke behandeling voor u geschikt is, bepaalt de arts aan de hand van uw vragenlijst.

Diese Präparate verordnen wir nur für Frauen: Vaniqa.We only prescribe these medicines for women: Vaniqa.Nous ne prescrivons ces médicaments qu’aux femmes : Vaniqa.Deze middelen schrijven wij alleen voor aan vrouwen: Vaniqa.

Cream for application

The cream works locally in the hair follicles of the face and is used in addition to regular hair removal.

Eflornithine RezeptpflichtigPrescription onlySur ordonnanceUitsluitend op recept

Vaniqa

Cream containing eflornithine 11,5% for the treatment of facial hirsutism in women.

WirkeintrittOnsetDélai d’actionWerkingsaanvang
First changes will be noticeable after about 8 weeks at the earliest.
WirkdauerDurationDurée d’actionWerkingsduur
Only during use; after discontinuation, approximately 8 weeks until the initial state returns to normal.
FormFormFormeVorm
Creams

So wirkt es:How it works:Mode d’action :Zo werkt het: Eflornithine inhibits the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase in the hair follicles, which is necessary for hair growth. This slows down hair regrowth. The cream does not remove hair and does not treat the underlying cause of excessive hair growth.

Das kann für Sie passenThis may suit youCela peut vous convenirDit kan bij u passen
  • If you have increased hair growth on your face or under your chin
  • If you would like to slow down hair regrowth in addition to hair removal
  • If the cause of your hair growth has already been medically investigated
Anwendung & wichtige HinweiseUse & important informationUtilisation et informations importantesGebruik en belangrijke aandachtspunten

Anwendung:Use:Utilisation :Gebruik: Apply a thin layer to the affected areas of the face and under the chin twice daily, at least eight hours apart, and rub in well. Do not wash the treated areas for at least four hours afterwards.

Verfügbare Stärken:Available strengths:Dosages disponibles :Beschikbare sterktes: 11,5%

Do not use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Acne is very common. The cream may sting on broken skin. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.

abfromà partir devanaf 121,84 € Endpreis, inkl. ärztlicher PrüfungFinal price, incl. medical reviewPrix final, évaluation médicale incluseEindprijs, incl. medische beoordeling
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Antiandrogens

The tablets weaken the effect of male hormones throughout the body and are only considered in cases of severe hirsutism when other treatments have not been sufficient.

Cyproterone acetate RezeptpflichtigPrescription onlySur ordonnanceUitsluitend op recept

Androcur (Cyproteronacetat)

Antiandrogen tablet for severe hirsutism when other treatments have not been sufficiently effective.

WirkeintrittOnsetDélai d’actionWerkingsaanvang
Improvement usually only occurs after several months.
FormFormFormeVorm
Tablets

So wirkt es:How it works:Mode d’action :Zo werkt het: Cyproterone acetate blocks the binding sites of male hormones on hair follicles and sebaceous glands and also reduces the production of these hormones. As a result, their influence on skin and hair decreases over several months.

Das kann für Sie passenThis may suit youCela peut vous convenirDit kan bij u passen
  • If you have been medically diagnosed with severe hirsutism
  • If lower-dose preparations or other treatments were not sufficiently effective
  • When a specialist doctor accompanies the treatment
Anwendung & wichtige HinweiseUse & important informationUtilisation et informations importantesGebruik en belangrijke aandachtspunten

Anwendung:Use:Utilisation :Gebruik: Tablets for oral administration according to a fixed cycle schedule, for women of childbearing age together with a combined pill.

Verfügbare Stärken:Available strengths:Dosages disponibles :Beschikbare sterktes: 10 mg · 50 mg

Do not use during pregnancy, in cases of meningioma, liver disease, or after blood clots. The risk of meningioma increases with dose and duration of treatment; therefore, the lowest effective dose is used.

abfromà partir devanaf 41,35 € Endpreis, inkl. ärztlicher PrüfungFinal price, incl. medical reviewPrix final, évaluation médicale incluseEindprijs, incl. medische beoordeling
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RatgeberGuideGuideGids

What you should know about hirsutism

Increased hair growth is often harmless, but can also be a sign of a hormonal disorder that should be investigated.

What is hirsutism?

Hirsutism is the term used when women develop thick, dark hair in areas where it typically grows in men, such as the upper lip, chin, chest, abdomen, or back. This is usually caused by an increased amount or stronger effect of male hormones (androgens) on the hair follicle.

This should be distinguished from a general increase in body hair (hypertrichosis), which is not dependent on androgens. Hirsutism is common and can significantly impair well-being and self-image.

Possible causes

A common cause is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is often accompanied by irregular periods, acne, and weight gain. Other causes include:

  • a familial predisposition without a detectable hormonal disorder (idiopathic hirsutism)
  • Adrenal gland disorders, such as adrenogenital syndrome
  • certain medications or hormone preparations
  • rare hormone-producing tumors

The cause should be medically investigated before treatment, for example with a blood test to check hormone levels and, if necessary, an ultrasound.

Treatment options

Treatment depends on the cause and severity. Possible options include:

  • Hair removal: Unwanted hair is removed by shaving, plucking, waxing, laser or electrolysis.
  • Eflornithine cream (Vaniqa): The cream slows down the regrowth of facial hair.
  • Hormonal treatments: This includes certain pills and, in cases of severe hirsutism, tablets containing cyproterone acetate (Androcur).

Vaniqa can cause acne, as well as burning or redness of the skin. With Androcur, side effects such as weight changes, depressive moods, and spotting are possible. The risk of developing a meningioma (usually a benign tumor of the meninges) increases with the dose and duration of treatment. The doctor will decide which treatment is appropriate.

When to see a local doctor.

Have your hair growth examined in person before starting any treatment. This is especially important if...

  • the hair growth has increased significantly within a few months
  • the voice deepens, the muscles increase, or the clitoris enlarges.
  • The period is irregular or absent, or the hair on the head becomes thinner.

If you experience visual disturbances, hearing loss, increasing headaches, seizures, weakness in arms or legs, or yellowing of the skin while taking Androcur, inform your doctor immediately. In case of shortness of breath, swelling in the face, chest pain or a swollen, painful leg, call the emergency number 112 immediately (Switzerland: 144).

Everyday life and well-being

Patience and the right routine

Increased hair growth has nothing to do with poor grooming, and many women are affected. However, treatment takes time, as hair grows in cycles and changes only become visible after several weeks. Talk openly about how much the hair growth bothers you, as this will help in choosing the right treatment.

  • Vaniqa does not replace hair removal. Wait at least five minutes after shaving or plucking before applying the cream, otherwise it may sting more.
  • You can use make-up and sunscreen no sooner than five minutes after applying the cream.
  • Taking photos at regular intervals helps to realistically assess changes over the weeks.

If no improvement is noticeable after four months, the treatment should be discontinued according to the product information. Maintaining a healthy weight and regular exercise can support hormonal balance in cases of PCOS. Our online doctor answers general questions..

Zu den BehandlungsoptionenView treatment optionsVoir les options de traitementNaar de behandelopties

AblaufHow it worksDéroulementWerkwijze

In vier Schritten zur BehandlungFour steps to your treatmentEn quatre étapes vers votre traitementIn vier stappen naar uw behandeling

Ärztlich geprüft, diskret und ohne Wartezimmer.Reviewed by a doctor, discreet and without a waiting room.Examiné par un médecin, discret et sans salle d’attente.Door een arts beoordeeld, discreet en zonder wachtkamer.

  1. 1Behandlung wählenChoose a treatmentChoisir un traitementBehandeling kiezenWählen Sie Ihr Anliegen und das gewünschte Präparat oder stellen Sie eine allgemeine Anfrage.Choose your concern and the medicine you want, or send a general request.Choisissez votre problème et le médicament souhaité, ou envoyez une demande générale.Kies uw klacht en het gewenste middel, of stuur een algemene aanvraag.
  2. 2Fragebogen ausfüllenFill in the questionnaireRemplir le questionnaireVragenlijst invullenDie medizinischen Fragen beantworten Sie online, vertraulich und in Ruhe.You answer the medical questions online, confidentially and at your own pace.Vous répondez aux questions médicales en ligne, en toute confidentialité et à votre rythme.U beantwoordt de medische vragen online, vertrouwelijk en in alle rust.
  3. 3Ärztliche PrüfungMedical reviewÉvaluation médicaleMedische beoordelingEin zugelassener Arzt prüft Ihre Angaben. Ist die Behandlung nicht geeignet, erhalten Sie Ihr Geld zurück.A licensed doctor reviews your answers. If the treatment is not suitable, you get your money back.Un médecin agréé examine vos réponses. Si le traitement ne convient pas, vous êtes remboursé.Een bevoegde arts beoordeelt uw gegevens. Is de behandeling niet geschikt, dan krijgt u uw geld terug.
  4. 4Diskreter VersandDiscreet deliveryLivraison discrèteDiscrete verzendingNach Ausstellung des Rezepts versendet eine EU-Partnerapotheke Ihr Arzneimittel meist innerhalb eines Werktages.Once the prescription has been issued, an EU partner pharmacy usually sends your medicine within one working day.Une fois l’ordonnance établie, une pharmacie partenaire de l’UE expédie votre médicament généralement sous un jour ouvré.Na het uitschrijven van het recept verstuurt een EU-partnerapotheek uw geneesmiddel meestal binnen één werkdag.

Häufige FragenFrequently asked questionsQuestions fréquentesVeelgestelde vragen

Questions about hirsutism

Haben Sie eine andere Frage? Unsere Ärzte und unser Service-Team helfen Ihnen gerne weiter.Have another question? Our doctors and our service team will be glad to help.Vous avez une autre question ? Nos médecins et notre équipe de service vous aident volontiers.Heeft u een andere vraag? Onze artsen en ons serviceteam helpen u graag verder.

Frage an einen ArztAsk a doctorPoser une question à un médecinVraag stellen aan een arts
When are tablets like Androcur an option?

Androcur contains cyproterone acetate, which inhibits the effects of male hormones. In women, it is intended for severe androgenization symptoms such as pronounced hirsutism when lower-dose preparations containing cyproterone acetate or other treatments have not been sufficiently effective. Because the risk of meningioma increases with dose and duration of treatment, the lowest effective dose is used. Liver function is monitored regularly. The doctor decides whether the tablets are suitable.

With Vaniqa, initial changes are usually visible after about eight weeks of regular use. Not all women experience improvement. If no effect is noticeable after four months, treatment should be discontinued according to the product information. With Androcur, skin and hair usually only improve after several months. Discuss your progress with your doctor.

The effect only lasts as long as you use the cream. After discontinuing use, hair will grow back to its pre-treatment state within approximately eight weeks. Vaniqa is therefore a long-term treatment, the effectiveness of which should be regularly monitored.

No. The cream only affects facial hair growth locally and does not influence hormonal imbalances. If, for example, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the underlying cause, a separate medical evaluation and, if necessary, treatment by gynecologists or hormone specialists is required.

Acne is a very common side effect. Other common symptoms include burning, stinging, tingling, redness, dryness, or itching of the skin, as well as inflamed hair follicles. If skin irritation occurs, discuss further treatment with your doctor; if it persists, discontinue use.

Medizinische ExpertiseMedical expertiseExpertise médicaleMedische expertise

Jede Anfrage in ärztlichen HändenEvery request in a doctor’s handsChaque demande entre des mains médicalesElke aanvraag in medische handen

Dr. Viktor Simunovic
Medizinischer GutachterMedical assessorMédecin évaluateurMedisch beoordelaarDr. Viktor SimunovicAllgemeinmedizin & digitale GesundheitGeneral medicine & digital healthMédecine générale et santé numériqueHuisartsgeneeskunde en digitale zorg
Dr. Codruta Anca Pandalache
Medizinische GutachterinMedical assessorMédecin évaluatriceMedisch beoordelaarDr. Codruta Anca PandalacheReproduktionsmedizin & FrauengesundheitReproductive medicine & women’s healthMédecine de la reproduction et santé des femmesVoortplantingsgeneeskunde en vrouwengezondheid
Lernen Sie unsere Ärzte kennenMeet our doctorsFaites connaissance avec nos médecinsMaak kennis met onze artsenHintergrund, Erfahrung und FachgebieteBackground, experience and specialismsParcours, expérience et spécialitésAchtergrond, ervaring en vakgebieden

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