Am I the only person here that doesnt have a lot of trouble with excessive hair?

MotorGirl · 09-28-2002, 11:52 PM

I was shocked to read how many women have so much trouble with excessive hair. It really upset me. I dont want that. I do have some trouble, but not like some of the stories I have read. I get a few on my chin and neck, and on my cheeks. I just check everyday and have to pluck 1-2x every 2 weeks. I do have hair on my stomach and my toes, but I think that is because I shaved their once and well..you know how that works.

I really had high hopes that something could be done about the hairiness and obesity that I experience, but after reading some of the stories, I am not so sure. I will honestly admit it totally depressed me. I am glad I found this BB though. It helps knowing their other people going through what I am.

I am just determined to fight this. I may not be able to do much about the extra hair I experience, but I am going to do everything in my power about the weight with exercise and diet.

The weird part is I was so happy to find a reason why I was feeling and experiencing the things I was when I was dx with PCOS, but then after finding out about this syndrome, I would do anything not to have it.

Thanks for listening.

KatCarney · 09-29-2002, 12:11 AM

The degree of the hair problem is ususally related to your androgen levels...

Of course, only a test can tell you for sure, but it sounds like your androgen levels must be in the close-to-normal range...consider yourself lucky

(welcome to SoulCysters!)

Kat

VitaBella · 09-29-2002, 12:18 AM

I don't know if it helps much, because I don't have the test results to go along with it, but I also don't experience a lot of added hair growth.

I have naturally dark hair on my head, so my body hair grows pretty dark - I remove a moustache with hair remover about once a month, not because it's enough to be noticed by anyone else, but because it just bothers me. The only plucking I ever do is my eyebrows, and I can go more than one day without shaving my legs with no big deal. (I do shave everyday in the summer, but just because I like totally smooth legs.)

The only other places I've noticed are my big toes, which I shave, and my fingers...but again, it's not enough to really worry about it.

As far as I'm concerned, I consider myself lucky (and am sure that other cysters would agree that I should). Like you, I am currently battling obesity and am SO MOTIVATED right now to do something about it. My best advice to you is start exercising - it's a lot easier to eat healthy when you consider the "sweat factor" involved in working off a no-no.

Good luck! It's a syndrome that is sometimes difficult, but we have great support here - and the degree to which we let it effect us is our own decision.

MotorGirl · 09-29-2002, 12:20 AM

Thanks Kat.

I know when I went to my doctor to see if I had PCOS after reading an article about it in some magazine, he looked at me and said NO I didnt have it and didnt want to test me. He said I didnt have the classic symptoms...facial hair. I explained that I do, but I had no idea how bad some have it.

I think I have had PCOS for years, but the first doctor I went to ran no tests and just told me to go home and lose some weight and my periods would become normal. It wasnt until I read this article that I went back to a different doctor. I just wish I would of gotten a second opinion years ago. It could of saved me so much heartache.

MotorGirl · 09-29-2002, 12:25 AM

Thanks Jen. Right now I am following a 1500 ADA diet that my diabetic deitican put me on 2 years ago. I have tried it all..Weight Watchers, etc. with no results. I have been walking 1-2 miles 5x a week for several months and lose about 1 pound a week..very frustrating, but I am not giving up. I just joined "Curves for Women" on Friday, and have started lifting weights. I just ordered the PCOS diet book and I am hoping that will help. It just gets so frustrating.

evita · 09-29-2002, 12:39 AM

I am like you with some hair on my chin and neck. I don't have any on my stomach though. My endo said that it had to do with the fact that my testosterone level was bordering on high. I just got blood work done recently and it is now <20 hooray! Although my boyfriend hates it because my sex drive is not quite as abundant as it was when the level was elevated. Of course the main reason mine is now under control is because I've been on the pill for 6 months (Yasmin). BUT...my Endo also said that losing weight is also playing a factor and that when I want to get off the pill the levels won't be out of wack because I won't have the weight issue. I plan to stay on the pill till I can get all the weight off and then hopefully we will try to make some babies then! lol

guineapig · 09-29-2002, 03:43 PM

I get a hair growing out of my cheek now and then, and some toe hairs on the big toe. I also get a medium-mustache, although since my hair is almost black, anything that grows anywhere will show. I shave the stache' about once every 10 days and it seems to suffice. The problem that was noticable enough to run to doc and get diagnosed with PCOS was head hairLOSS. Now that, is very obvious on me--like old man Norwood 3. My lab testosterone was actually within normal limits--something like 43 with no hormonal pills or steroids.

Eponine · 09-29-2002, 04:11 PM

Motorgirl, Any hair that grows in places where most women don't have it is excessive. The hair on your stomach most likely isn't from shaving. I never shaved my stomach, and I got a happy trail there. I've since then only shaved twice, but I don't like to, cause I don't feel like I should have to shave there. (If that makes any sense.)

I'm like you. I have a few hairs on my chin that I pluck whenever they come in (Every few weeks). I have one or two on my cheeks as well, but I think I'm the only one who notices them. I depilitate my upper lip every few weeks as well. My big toes are also hairy, and I take care of that with nail clippers when I trim my toenails. My toes are the least of my worries, though. I want to get rid of the hair on my upper lip and stomach. But really, compared to a lot of women here, that's not a lot. I have very mild symptoms in general. I'm lucky that way.