I've been doing research on hirsutism and the only alternatives I find for dealing with hirsutism is laser/electrolysis.
Its basically the only way to kill the hair follicles and preventing the hair from growing back. But as I've been reading some of the posts here electrolysis hasnt been effective for some.
It saddens me because no women should be gowing through this embarrassment and believe me, I wish I could do something about it and help all you ladies with this problem inclusing myself. If I could find the cure for this problem I would help everyone with this problem without a doubt.
As for the medications, I would like to know what are the results. Do they stop new hair from appearing, or do they stop the actual hair that grows from growing, or does it make it look like peach fuzz?
I havent been diagnosed with PCOS but from all the research I have been doing, I believe I have it. And I dont have insurance which really sucks.....
Sending hugs to all you ladies with PCOS dont give up and fight back
i had electrolosis and it killed beyond belief, i havent known pain anything like it!!! i would go with the waxing, as the more you have it the hair eventually doesnt grow back, ive struggled with hair for soo long but have just learnt to live with it but now ive just about had enough!!!
Hi, I feel the same way. The excess hair has been a nightmare. I have had some success with electrolysis and laser. Both expensive and I'm not rich but it was worth it. I had electrolysis on my abdomen (very noticeable line up to my bellybutton) about 20 years ago (OMG I can't believe its been that long). That hair has never returned. YAY! I also had my face done - chin, sides mostly. It lasted as long as I was on BCP. Hair returned on my face after going off BCP. I did not find the electrolysis to be that painful and I don't really feel like I have a high tolerance for pain, but everyone is different. I am currently having laser on my face. Had it on my bikini line with minimal success (I wasn't able to have all the treatments recommended though) and that was painful. I am finding the laser on face to be successful so far. I have had seven treatments takes about 30 - 45 minutes each. Cost was about $1,000 which seems like alot but Dr. was willing to set up payment plan and to be able to wake up with no stubble and have that confidence back is totally worth it to me. I will have to wait and see if the hair stays away as I have just finished the treatments. For me laser on my face was uncomfortable but not super painful. The Dr. puts cream and blows cold air during treatment to minimize discomfort. I am also taking Spironolactone which my dermatologist prescribed for thinning scalp hair. He said a bonus is that it can minimize facial hair growth as well. I think it is supposed to inhibit new growth not necessarily make what's there go away. I've only been on a couple of months so not sure what the long term will be. Hope this helps.
hi yeah that is quite helpful, not up for laser just yet unless i have to, i tend to shave my belly cos it awful down there, i tend to get quite a few hairs around the nipples (embarrassing or what!) basically im hairy every where so i think id have to have my whole bodied lasered which i most definately cant afford or electricuted which would finish me off i think...still, ill head to the doctor when i have some cash and start maybe dianette again or something else!
thanks chick xxxx
Leanney- Spironlactone/Aldactone is a good med to help keep hair growth down. It did not work completely for me but it was a good med to keep the growth at bay. It is best used in combination with BCP. Each time I have gone off BCP I have gained 10-15 pounds and the facial hair came in full force.
If you are not ttc, then def. go with the BCP/Spironlactone combination.
- if you're carrying excess weight, losing weight can help lower androgens, which slows new hair growth
- meds like spiro/aldactone, and flutamide/eulexin
- Laser (which is frequently MUCH cheaper than you would expect. In the two cities that I've had it, doctors' offices had significantly lower laser prices than those laser 'spa' type places.) If you can even 'sort of' afford even one treatment, you'll be happy you did. For me, laser was a wonderful investment. (but you still need to find a way to keep your androgens down after the laser treatments)
__________________
Hey, SoulCysters! Need to eat more veggies, but can't find recipes??
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
I have hair everywhere too, I shave everyday....I can't afford laser and all that stuff I have no insurance...I just deal, perhaps one day they will find a cure for this stuff
__________________
Me, Myself and I(23) To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. BF (22)
and
PUSS(2) To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
I am also taking Spironolactone which my dermatologist prescribed for thinning scalp hair. He said a bonus is that it can minimize facial hair growth as well. I think it is supposed to inhibit new growth not necessarily make what's there go away. I've only been on a couple of months so not sure what the long term will be. Hope this helps.
I was on Spironolactone for over a year and was taking up to 200 mg per day. I was taking it mostly for the hair loss because I don't have much of an issue with facial hair. I was so disappointed that I was having no success.
Then I did some research and found that spironolactone is usually prescribed only for minimizing facial hair, as it does not help with hair loss or hair regrowth.
I've now switched to flutamide and am already seeing a difference after only two months.
Electrolysis DOES work! It is the only permanent method of hair removal out there. What people may not understand is that it takes time 9-18 for permanent results. Sometimes even longer. Once a hair follicle is killed it will never produce a hair again. Another thing that people may not understand is that NEW hairs can show up from follicles that were once inactive. So down the line hairs may come up and then one would think it "oh, electrolysis does not work." If you have PCOS and you're androgens are not under control, then new sprouting hairs is very possible. Also, it doesn't hurt. If you find a good electrolysis with a new digital epilator, then it's vertually painless. The older machines are slower, and produce more of a sensation.
I'm currently in my 4th month of electrolysis, and can say I've noticed a reduction in my facial hair. I have soooo much F-ing hair though, so I may be getting electrolysis for another year or more. But it'll be worth it in the end. Also, the longer you are into your treatments, the less you have to go. You're not going to be going every week for 9-12 months. At first you go a lot, then that time decreases.
I advise every woman with hair problem to find a skilled electrologist and be on there way to permanent hair removal.
I'll update on my electrolysis! In a year, I hope to say I'm hair free on my face!
Some people have had experiences that meds won't reverse their dark hair, and will only prevent new growth. I would like to say that I am living proof that is not true (at least for me). My endo put me on 2000mg of Met and 100mg of Spiro about a year ago. I had been on Met 1500mg for about 2 years (prescribed by my gyn) and had been through laser hair removal on the face, which was fairly successful. However I had not had laser done on my belly, arms and upper thighs. The hair on my belly and upper thighs was still thick and coarse. The hair on my arms was dark, but not coarse. My endo told me that he had rarely seen this combo of meds not work, and it has worked for me. The hair is gone from my upper thighs, and is much less coarse as well as thinner and lighter in color on my belly, and thinner and lighter on my arms.
With my most recent visit to the endo, he asked me to stop the spiro. He says that it doesn't provide any benefit beyond 6 months. I'm afraid to stop it because I know so many cysters here are taking it long term. Since he's known what he was talking about so far, I will try life without it.
What exactly does that mean that spiro doesn't provide any benefit past 6 months? I think it is really helping (along with laser) with my facial hair and acne and was hoping that the scalp shedding would improve as well. Can I expect to be back to square one after 6 months? Can anyone clarify this for me? Thanks a bunch.
I work at a job where I am around people all the time. It sucks because I get my face (chin and sideburns) waxed like once every 4-5 weeks. Sometimes I purchase the wax from walmart and do it myself and it works just as well as when I pay someone to do it. I don't really want to go through the laser deal becauase of the pain it causes and also I've known people that after a year or two it comes back. I just can't see putting money into something that I want to get rid of and have it come back. I'm glad for ya'll who have defiantly gotten rid of it, but I think I'll stick with my crappy paying waxing! hehe.
I'm guessing there's no cure for hirsutism? 
dont give up and fight back
