Can Inhaled Steroids For Asthma Affect Facial Hair Growth In Women?

Posted on Wed, 3 Apr 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 Answered on

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : Can inhaled steroids for asthma affect facial hair growth in women. The inhaled steroid has been used for over ten years?

Answered by Dr. E Venkata Ramana (14 minutes later)

Hi,

Thank you for your query on Healthcare Magic.

The side effects are very minimal with inhaled steroids for asthma if they are used in low dose and for reasonably for shorter periods.

So if the inhaled steroids are given in the low lose and for shorter period, it is least likely to be the cause of facial hair growth in women.

But longer duration of the use of inhaled steroid over a 10 year period, and use of moderate to high doses will certainly associated with some of the steroid side effects like facial hair growth due to significant systemic absorption of the steroid from the lungs over this long period.

Hope I have answered your query, if you have any clarification please let me know.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar