A question about excess body and facial hair?

KatrinaAnne · 01-13-2003, 04:38 PM

Hi Cysters....
I am one of the cysters who experiences the symptom of excess body and facial hair and that is all I can seem to think about. I was wondering do any of you cysters have this problem as well? The problem of thinking about the excess body and facial hair from the time you wake up until the time you go to bed. I think about it in my college classes, at work, at home...everywhere. I was just wondering if any other cysters are experiencing this and wondering if you have any suggestions on how to block these thoughts out! I hope you girls dont find me silly.....lol, thank you!! Take care!

Your friend and your cyster,
Katrina

jen1ty · 01-13-2003, 06:07 PM

Hi! No, I do not find you silly at all. I think about my hair problem a lot, too! My SIL is even worse than me. I think about it at least once each day, but I know she thinks about it twice or sometimes even a few times each day! It truly is one of the worst problems... for me, I think of my hair problem as being worse than my weight problem. I mean, there are a lot of overweight yet hairless people, but I have both problems! I think obesity is widely accepted now whereas facial hair on women is still snickered at.

What I do to make myself feel better...

1) I take Aldactone. It took a while, but now I am noticing a drastic change. I feel happy when I take an Aldactone pill because I know I am doing something about the problem.

2) I get my eyebrows waxed about six times a year. It really is just a maintenance thing, and a lot of women have to do it. I go to a woman who specializes in brow shaping, and it has really boosted my confidence. If you have the funds (I understand if you don't because sometimes I have trouble coming up with the money.), go to some sort of professional once in a while to treat your hair problem. Treat yourself to a professional wax, get electrolysis or laser hair removal performed, etc. This will also help you feel like you are doing something about the problem because you are.

3) Do not use a magnification mirror everyday. I understand if you have to pick one up once a week. They do provide excellent lighting if your mirror has that. However, most people cannot see your new hairs sprouting up from underneath the skin. Those mirrors really DO exagerate the problem.

4) Don't spend too much time worrying! If you do 1 and 2 (if possible), you are taking measures to relieve the problem. Even shaving, waxing, or bleaching at home can really boost your spirits!! Know you are doing the best you can! Always remember you probably see the problem as much worse than your friends, peers, and family view the problem.

((((((HUGS!))))))

Take Care,

Jennifer

jen1ty · 01-13-2003, 06:59 PM

I know what you mean! It would be nice to have just one week or even a day of being "normal." Sometimes it does seem unfair when our friends get to save their money for a new home, a beautiful car, a future family, nice clothes when we have to drop our money into hair removal and weight loss treatments! Ugh!! Hugs to all. We'll get through this!

Jennifer

KatrinaAnne · 01-13-2003, 09:33 PM

Thank you cysters for responding...it means the world to me. Your reply's made me feel so much better! I love you all so much! Thank you for truly being cysters and caring!!

Take care!

Katrina

JaimeVegas · 01-14-2003, 01:26 AM

It is documented that PCOS can cause Panic and Anxiety disorder, well I have both and I think that spending a lot of concious and subconcious thinking on the hair issue leads to a lot of stress and anxiety in our life. What I do is this, Everytime I catch myself dwelling or thinking about the Hair I stop myself and (to myself) say "OH! I'm having one of those" or "OH! I'm thinking about it again". The act of acknowledging the sometimes compulsive dwelling is usally enough to eliminate your anxiety over time. Just try stoping yourself, aknowledge your worries and you might notice a change in what you think about and how you feel. This is my personal non clinical approach.

jen1ty · 01-14-2003, 02:48 PM

That is a great way of looking at it! I panic and worry about a lot of things (mainly unwanted hair and weight). I am going to try to start doing what you said. I know I have caused myself so much stress over the years just having fears I will one day be imobilized by my obesity or I will grow a beard or something. I know that by just reminding myself,"I am doing it again," and also by reminding myself I have been working hard to take care of my problems, I can stop beating myself up about it so much. ((((Hugs, Cysters))))

Jennifer :o

JaimeVegas · 01-14-2003, 08:42 PM

Thank you Jen. I hope this method proves to be of some help to you. It is hard to teach our bodies not to react to what our brain is telling it. The "What If's" alone are enough to send your stress levels through the roof! i.e. "What if I get into a car accident and have to go to the hospital without my razor?" "What if I become extremely obese and can't get out of bed" "What if I become too old to have children?" The "What If's" will kill your soul, so try to acknowledge, and send away. Good luck to you all with this horrid and unatural battle to be a sane, healthy Woman.

SOriza · 01-17-2003, 11:14 PM

I also have this problem...

I don't even want my husband to notice so I am constantly touching my face to make sure I can't find any hair. I carry a shaver in my purse and keep one at work.

I can't help but look at myself in the mirror all the time and think I look so fat in this. I constantly look at pictures at what I "USE" to look like.

And the thought of maybe not being able to have another child, that just drives me nuts.

I also have been getting myself very sick lately from anxiety. I sleep all the time when I am home to avoid thinking about it and I know thats not good.

But I just cant think of anything else when I am awake.

I have mental health coverage from my insurance, so I made an appointment with a psychiatrist starting a week from today. Hopefully this will help. I know there are good things in my life, when I start feeling the worse I think of my son. And if there is anything else good going for me, I try to focus on it. Its hard but sometimes it works.

KatrinaAnne · 01-18-2003, 12:03 AM

Cysters,
I want to let you all know I feel truly blessed to have people like you in my life. I want to thank you for your reply's, advice, and kind/sincere thoughts. I hope we all get on the journey to living a happier life! I love ya girls! Take care!

Your friend and cyster,
Katrina

sambo90 · 01-23-2003, 06:34 PM

I am currently on meds for anxiety and I really agree that you have to talk yourself through a lot of the issues. I am a new cyster and this is my very first time to ever post anything on a board so be patient.