Which type of doctor should I see first?

Your general practitioner is a reasonable starting point — they can run initial bloodwork and refer you to an endocrinologist or gynecologist if the results point to a hormonal condition needing specialist follow-up.

Is it normal to feel embarrassed bringing this up?

Completely normal — but doctors hear this multiple times a week. Excess hair growth is one of the most common reasons women consult for a hormonal evaluation, and framing it factually ("I've noticed new hair growth on my chin over the past 6 months") makes the conversation easier for everyone.

Talking to Your Doctor

Excess Hair Growth: How to Talk to Your Doctor and What Tests to Expect

Shop the anti-regrowth serum →

How to Describe What You're Seeing

Doctors work better with specifics than with "I have too much hair." Note when it started, whether it's spreading to new areas (upper lip, chin, chest, lower back), how fast it seems to be changing, and whether it comes with other symptoms — irregular periods, acne, weight changes, or hair thinning on the scalp. Bringing photos taken over a few months can help show a timeline your doctor can't see in a single visit.

The Tests a Doctor May Order

Depending on your symptoms, a doctor may check total and free testosterone, DHEA-S, and sometimes a thyroid panel or prolactin level, to rule out or confirm a hormonal driver such as PCOS or an adrenal issue. Bloodwork alone doesn't diagnose everything — it's one part of a picture that also includes your cycle history and physical exam.

      "A photo timeline of a few months tells your doctor more than a single snapshot ever could — bring it to your first appointment.
      "
    

Test	What It Checks	Typically Ordered When
Total & free testosterone	Androgen levels	Sudden or rapid hair growth
DHEA-S	Adrenal androgen production	Suspected adrenal source
Thyroid panel (TSH)	Thyroid function	Fatigue, weight or cycle changes

Common tests doctors order for excess hair growth

You Don't Need a Diagnosis to Start Caring for Your Skin

Getting bloodwork done takes time, and appointments take weeks to schedule. In the meantime, a daily topical routine is something you control right away — while the medical conversation happens on its own timeline.