Question about birth control pills

annamarie · 06-19-2009, 12:23 AM

First of all, I do not know for sure that I have PCOS. I have never talked to the doctor about it directly.

I got my period at age 12, but it has ALWAYS been wildly erratic (I'm 19 now). I brought it up with my doctor and she put me on birth control pills at age 16. I used them for about a year, and then when I went to college I stopped using them, because I couldn't get the perscription refilled. Big mistake! As soon as I stopped taking them, I got acne and mild facial hair. (This is what leads me to think I might have PCOS).

I was off the birth control pills for about 10 mos and I started taking them again about 2 weeks ago. (I didn't immediately realize the acne and facial hair was caused by going off the pill).

My question is -- will being on the pill again really make the facial hair go away? (I think it said it would on the treatment part of this website). I never had facial hair before this, so I can't predict what will happen.

Also, so far my facial hair is all light-colored and not visible unless you're really close to my face -- is it possible that it could get worse? Do some women with PCOS have dark facial hair that you could see from far away? I'm worried because my natural hair color is fairly dark. (Some parts blonde, some parts brown).

Thanks for your help! I'm so glad I've found this website, even though I'm not diagnosed or anything. It's just really good to be able to talk about it!

annamarie · 06-19-2009, 12:46 AM

ok sorry but more questions...

i have heard some people say that shaving makes it grow back courser and darker, and some people say that shaving has no effect on the courseness/darkness... what's the deal?
i shave, probably about once every 2-3 days, (once a day if i remember)
if my facial hair is only light and none of it is dark, and i stop shaving it or removing it in any way, will it ever turn dark? i'm willing to let it grow out if it means NOT having it turn dark, which would mean having visible stubble.

it's gotten worse over the past few months, but i'm hoping being back on the BCPs will help it stop getting worse, at least.
am i right to hope?

the kind of pill i'm on is low-ogestrel. that's what the gyno put me on for the irregular periods. is there a different kind that would work better?
i'm going to the gyno in july.... i know i should talk to her about it but i'm scared! what do you say?

talk to me people...i need info

ok nevermind i dont know if low-ogestrel is the "kind" of pill or not...underneath it says "norgestrel and ethinyl estradiol"

pandoura · 06-24-2009, 11:27 AM

OK.. Calm down!

First of all, the hormone imbalanced caused by PCOS is what can cause the abnormal growth of facial hair, but generally it is dark and coarse from the get-go. Everyone has light fuzz on their chins and faces, but the hair growth from PCOS is typically "male-like" from the excess testosterone in the body. If your hair growth is in fact caused by PCOS, then the bcp will prevent NEW hair from growing, but won't, however get rid of the hair you already have. Some women have had success with Spironolactone to help with the hair growth, but the BEST thing for you to do is to talk to your doctor and get a diagnosis. If your symptoms aren't related to PCOS, they could be indicative of something all together different.

Good luck.

*** As a side note, if you want to reduce the amount of hair on your face, I would recommend waxing instead of shaving. Repeated waxing destroys the hair follicle, reducing and eventually making the hair stop growing back. Electrolysis is also an option.

KatCarney · 06-24-2009, 11:38 AM

this might help:

QUICK LINKS: Getting a PCOS Diagnosis & Understanding Lab Results

EXCELLENT guide regarding PCOS and Excess Hair!

jaspurr · 06-25-2009, 01:28 PM

i probably wouldn't shave b/c it seems not so feminine. i would try waxing or a more permanent solution.
the BCP should help calm down some of your hormones. i notice my acne flairs up if i go off the BCP, which is probably b/c my testosterone goes higher.

hope you can get a diagnosis--may help find some treatment options for you

PBLayzod · 06-25-2009, 01:37 PM

Just wanted to mention that you are at an age when lots of things are going to change with your body. This would be true even if you didn't have PCOS. College is also prime time for bad eating habits to develop. Gaining weight won't help, so try avoid falling into the late night junk food pattern. Also, I got my BCP in college for free through the county health department. It's an option if you need it.

If shaving works for you, there's nothing wrong with it. It's probably more common than you think. It's not something the average woman is going to confess, you know. There are quite a few options for dealing with facial hair, and this board has a lot of information on that topic.

Koda63 · 07-16-2009, 07:55 PM

I got off the pill once for about 3 months. I got hair on my face and down my belly. Once I started taking the pill again it all went away.