Short answer: Some extra hair on the face, arms, back or belly is common in pregnancy and usually fades in the months after birth.[1][2] New hair that grows quickly, especially with a deepening voice, severe acne or other signs of masculinization, is not normal and needs a doctor, because it can come from an androgen-producing ovarian growth such as a pregnancy luteoma.[3] Anti-androgens such as spironolactone and finasteride should not be used in pregnancy, while shaving, tweezing and waxing are safe.[5][7][10]
Pregnancy changes almost everything about your hair. Many women love the thicker scalp hair of the third trimester. Fewer people talk about the darker hairs that can appear on the chin, upper lip, belly or back, or about what to do if you already have hirsutism and have to pause your usual treatment.
This article covers what is normal, the rare causes that need attention, what happens after birth, which treatments to stop, and which hair removal methods are fine while you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Is it normal to grow more facial and body hair during pregnancy?
Yes, a modest increase is normal. A review in American Family Physician notes that many women develop some degree of hirsutism on the face, limbs and back because of hormonal changes in pregnancy, and that it generally resolves after birth.[1] DermNet adds that it tends to appear in the second half of pregnancy, particularly in women with dark hair.[2]
Some new hair growth is not hormonal at all. DermNet describes soft, fine hair along the midline of the lower belly, which is not uncommon in pregnancy and may disappear about 6 months after delivery.[2]
Why don’t pregnancy hormones cause more hair?
Total testosterone rises a lot during pregnancy, but your body has built-in protection. A 2011 review of high androgen levels in pregnancy explains that sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), the protein that keeps testosterone inactive, rises from early pregnancy and binds much of the extra testosterone. The placenta also converts androgens into estrogens using an enzyme called aromatase, and high progesterone competes with androgens at their receptors.[3] Free (active) testosterone stays lower than before pregnancy until about week 28, then rises toward the third trimester, which fits with extra hair appearing in the second half of pregnancy.[3][2]
When is new hair in pregnancy a warning sign?
New hair is a warning sign when it appears quickly or comes with virilization, meaning signs of high male hormones such as a deepening voice, an enlarged clitoris, severe acne or male-pattern hair loss. The Endocrine Society’s guideline lists rapid progression and virilization as features that need prompt testing for an androgen-producing tumor.[4] In pregnancy, the most common causes are non-cancerous changes in the ovary.[3]
Pregnancy luteoma
A pregnancy luteoma is a non-cancerous, solid swelling of the ovary that develops in response to pregnancy hormones. According to the 2011 review, it usually causes symptoms in the second trimester, and the mother develops signs of virilization in roughly 25% to 35% of cases. When the mother is virilized, a female baby has a 60% to 70% chance of being affected too, for example with enlarged genitals at birth.[3]
Luteomas usually shrink on their own within about 3 months after delivery, so surgery is generally not needed unless there are complications such as twisting or bleeding. Some changes, such as a deeper voice or an enlarged clitoris, may not fully reverse.[3]
Hyperreactio luteinalis (theca lutein cysts)
Hyperreactio luteinalis is a condition where both ovaries fill with fluid-filled cysts in response to very high levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG. It is more likely with twins or more, or with a molar pregnancy. The 2011 review reports that about a third of affected women develop high androgens, that most cases appear in the third trimester or soon after birth, and that, unlike luteoma, it had not been linked to virilization of the baby. The cysts usually shrink after delivery.[3]
Other causes
Rarer causes include ovarian or adrenal tumors, a placental enzyme deficiency (aromatase deficiency) and androgen-containing medicines.[3] PMOS, the condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) until 2026, is the most common cause of high androgens in the first trimester, according to the same review.[3][12] Read more in our guide to sudden facial hair growth in women and what virilization is.
Doctors usually investigate with androgen blood tests and an ultrasound of the ovaries. Luteomas show up as a solid mass on ultrasound or MRI in about 90% of cases.[3]
What happens to hair after giving birth?
After birth, extra body and facial hair usually fades over the following months, while scalp hair often sheds. American Family Physician notes that hirsutism generally resolves postpartum.[1] DermNet is more cautious: hormonal hair may regress between pregnancies, but not always completely, and it tends to come back in later pregnancies.[2]
Many women also notice heavy scalp shedding a few months after birth. This is called telogen effluvium. During pregnancy, more hairs stay in the growth phase, and after birth they move into the resting phase together and fall out. DermNet says hair usually recovers to pre-pregnancy levels within 6 to 12 months.[2]
If you had hirsutism before pregnancy, for example from PMOS, it is reasonable to expect your usual pattern to return once your cycles restart. That is a good time to revisit treatment.
Which hirsutism treatments are off-limits in pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Anti-androgen pills and eflornithine cream should be stopped before pregnancy, while most mechanical hair removal is fine. Use this table as a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not as a substitute for one.
| Treatment | Pregnancy | Breastfeeding |
|---|---|---|
| Spironolactone | Avoid. Animal studies show feminization of male fetuses[5][6] | May be possible; only tiny amounts of an active breakdown product reach breast milk. Check with your doctor[5][6] |
| Finasteride | Contraindicated; can cause abnormal genital development in a male baby. Pregnant women should not handle crushed or broken tablets[7] | Not indicated for use in women[7] |
| Other anti-androgens (e.g. cyproterone, flutamide, bicalutamide) | Avoid; anti-androgens as a group can affect a male baby’s development[4] | Ask your doctor |
| Eflornithine cream (Vaniqa) | Use another method; only 19 exposed pregnancies in trials, animal studies showed reproductive toxicity[8] | Do not use; not known if it passes into milk[8] |
| Combined birth control pill | Not used in pregnancy | Wait until 6 weeks after birth before starting[9] |
| Shaving, trimming, tweezing, waxing | Fine[10] | Fine[10] |
| Laser or IPL | Usually postponed; no studies on hair removal in pregnancy[11] | Generally considered safe[10] |
| Electrolysis | No safety studies found; usually postponed[10] | No specific studies found |
Spironolactone
Evidence: Strong Spironolactone is one of the most-used anti-androgens for hirsutism, but it is not a pregnancy drug. Its US label says it may affect the sexual development of a male baby, based on how it works and on rat studies that showed feminization of male fetuses, and advises avoiding it in pregnancy.[5] The NHS likewise says it is not usually recommended in pregnancy.[6] This is why the Endocrine Society recommends against using anti-androgens without reliable contraception.[4] If you are planning a pregnancy, talk to your doctor about when to stop. More in our guide to spironolactone for hirsutism.
Breastfeeding is different. The label notes that spironolactone itself was not found in breast milk, only low amounts of its active breakdown product, canrenone, which are expected to be clinically insignificant. Long-term effects on a breastfed baby are unknown.[5] The NHS says you may be able to take it while breastfeeding but should check with a doctor first.[6]
Finasteride
Evidence: Strong Finasteride is sometimes prescribed off-label for hirsutism. Its US label states that it is contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant, because it may cause abnormal development of the external genitals in a male baby, and that pregnant women should not handle crushed or broken tablets.[7]
Eflornithine cream
Evidence: Limited Eflornithine cream slows facial hair growth. The safety data in pregnancy are thin: across clinical trials, 19 pregnancies occurred while women were using it, with no clear sign of harm, but animal studies showed reproductive toxicity. The product information therefore advises women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy to use another method, and says not to use it while breastfeeding.[8]
Can you remove hair while pregnant?
Yes. Shaving, trimming, tweezing and waxing are all safe in pregnancy. A 2017 review of cosmetic procedures in pregnancy and breastfeeding concluded that hair removal during pregnancy should be limited to waxing, shaving and topical methods.[10] Threading and tweezing work the same way as waxing, by pulling hairs out. If you use a hair removal cream, do a patch test first, and stop if your skin stings or reddens.
Laser and electrolysis are usually postponed. A 2019 systematic review found 22 publications on laser treatment in 380 pregnant women, mostly for medical problems such as genital warts and kidney stones, and found no harm to mother or baby. But none of the studies looked at laser hair removal, all the evidence came from case reports and series, and the authors note that elective laser treatment is generally put off until after birth.[11] We found no studies on electrolysis in pregnancy. Since hair removed during pregnancy may partly be pregnancy-related hair that fades anyway, waiting often makes sense. Compare the options for later in our guide to permanent hair removal.
During breastfeeding, the 2017 review considered most of the procedures it looked at, including laser treatments, to be safe.[10]
What about PMOS, fertility and hirsutism?
If you have PMOS and hirsutism and are trying to conceive, the main change is usually stopping anti-androgens and the pill, and relying on hair removal for a while. Plan this with your doctor, since anti-androgens should only be used with reliable contraception.[4] Our guide to PMOS facial hair covers longer-term treatment once you are ready to restart.
When should you see a doctor?
Mild, gradual extra hair in the second half of pregnancy is common. Tell your midwife or doctor promptly if you notice:
- Hair growth that appears suddenly or worsens over weeks
- A deepening or hoarse voice
- An enlarged clitoris
- Severe new acne or hair loss at the temples
- Hair growth that is still increasing several months after birth, or irregular or missing periods once you have stopped breastfeeding
These signs can point to an androgen-producing ovarian growth or tumor. Most causes in pregnancy are benign, but they need checking, partly because of the possible effect on a female baby.[3][4]
Frequently asked questions
Is facial hair during pregnancy a sign of a boy or a girl?
We found no studies showing that facial or body hair in pregnancy predicts the baby’s sex. Extra hair is a common effect of the hormonal changes of pregnancy in general.[1]
Will pregnancy hair go away after birth?
Usually, yes. Hormonal hair generally fades after birth, and fine hair on the belly may disappear about 6 months after delivery, although hormonal hair does not always go away completely.[1][2]
Can I get laser hair removal while pregnant?
Most clinics and dermatologists postpone it. A 2019 review found no harm from medical laser treatments in pregnancy, but it found no studies on laser hair removal, so there is no direct safety data.[11]
Can I take spironolactone while breastfeeding?
Possibly. Only small amounts of its active breakdown product reach breast milk, and the NHS says you may be able to take it after checking with a doctor.[5][6]
Can I use Vaniqa while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. The product information advises using another hair removal method during pregnancy and not using the cream while breastfeeding, because safety data are limited.[8]
Key takeaways
- Some extra facial and body hair is common in the second half of pregnancy and usually fades after birth.
- Rapid hair growth with a deeper voice or other signs of virilization is not normal and needs prompt checks for a luteoma or another ovarian cause.
- Spironolactone, finasteride and other anti-androgens should not be used in pregnancy; eflornithine cream is not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Shaving, tweezing and waxing are safe; laser and electrolysis are usually postponed until after birth.
- Spironolactone may be possible while breastfeeding, and the combined pill can usually start 6 weeks after birth if you are breastfeeding.
Sources
- Tunzi M, Gray GR. Common skin conditions during pregnancy. Am Fam Physician. 2007;75(2):211-218. Link
- DermNet. Skin changes in pregnancy. Accessed October 2026. Link
- Kaňová N, Bičíková M. Hyperandrogenic states in pregnancy. Physiol Res. 2011;60(2):243-252. Link
- Martin KA, Anderson RR, Chang RJ, et al. Evaluation and Treatment of Hirsutism in Premenopausal Women: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018;103(4):1233-1257. PubMed 29522147
- Pfizer. Aldactone (spironolactone) US prescribing information: Use in specific populations (pregnancy, lactation). Accessed October 2026. Link
- NHS. Spironolactone. Accessed October 2026. Link
- US Food and Drug Administration. Proscar (finasteride) tablets: Prescribing information (revised March 2026). Accessed October 2026. Link
- Electronic Medicines Compendium (emc). Vaniqa 11.5% cream: Summary of Product Characteristics (revised May 2022). Accessed October 2026. Link
- NHS. Can I take the combined pill? Accessed October 2026. Link
- Trivedi MK, Kroumpouzos G, Murase JE. A review of the safety of cosmetic procedures during pregnancy and lactation. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2017;3(1):6-10. PubMed 28492048
- Wilkerson EC, Van Acker MM, Bloom BS, Goldberg DJ. Utilization of laser therapy during pregnancy: a systematic review of the maternal and fetal effects reported from 1960 to 2017. Dermatol Surg. 2019;45:818-828. doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000001912
- Teede HJ, Khomami MB, Morman R, et al. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. Lancet. 2026;407(10545):2329-2339. Published online May 12, 2026. PubMed 42119588
This article is for education and is not medical advice. Talk to a doctor about diagnosis and treatment.