Is my facial hair caused by PCOS or menopause?

Answered by Eva Taub

I get asked this constantly, and honestly, the two can look nearly identical on the skin — both cause new or worsening facial hair through the same basic mechanism, a shift in the balance between androgens and estrogen. What I look at first is age and what else is going on: PCOS typically shows up earlier, often alongside irregular periods, acne, or weight changes, while menopause-related hair changes usually appear in your 40s and 50s alongside other menopause symptoms. A physician can confirm which one is actually driving it with the right bloodwork — but either way, the cosmetic treatment approach I use is very similar.