What are your symptoms?

[bandanna]

hi all,

i am wondering what your symptoms are? i have hirsutism.

thanks,
bandanna

[jmp]

I have hirsutism, irregular cycles/no ovulation w/o meds, and polycystic ovaries.

[LSGMSU1]

Mild hirisutism, polycystic ovaries, irregular cycles, fatigue and periods of anovulation.

[bandanna]

hi,

thank you for replying!

would you be able to describe mild to me? i have hairs on my back, chest, collarbone area, upper and lower arms, legs, stomach and lower abs as well as my face. some areas have heavier growths, some are not so. would you consider this mild? i am on very small dose of aldactone. what meds are you taking for the hair growth?

my cycle is fairly regular, it may miss a month. prior to this, i had heavy and long periods. this month, it seems to be not coming. i am not on the pill, just aldactone. i read some just go on aldactone without any interference in their cycle.

thanks again for sharing your symptoms.
bandanna

[GingerJ]

Hey Bandanna,

My two worst symptons are hirsutism and irregular and extremely painful periods. I was confirmed as having PCO with an US a week ago, but have been trying to get a diagnosis for the last ten years.

The periods I have learnt to cope with although it wipes me out for about two days when they decide to show up (always of course when I have something enjoyable planned!!). The hair is another matter. I have thick, curly, head hair and the hair on my body is just as coarse. My hirsutism tends to be described as mild in that I am lucky enough not to have dark hair so it is not that visible on my face and body unless you look closely. It is however EVERWHERE!! This is the problem, when you go to an appointment I can't say "don't just look FEEL the damn stuff!!". It is so noticeable to the touch and grows in so quickly if I shave. My legs at least I can cope with in the knowledge that it is normal to have hair there. But when it comes to my stomach and butt... I am at the stage that I can't bring myself to have a relationship as it is so bad. And tell me, how do you remove the hair on your butt??!! (I can't wax as the hair is so strong it won't come out!!)
It seems to be getting worse, with the fine hairs on my upper arms, face, back and above my belly button all thickening.

So that is my version of mild!! I had so many problems trying to get a diagnosis that I can only imagine the reaction I would get to asking to be put on aldactone. Can I ask, as I'm not too sure of the facts, were you put on this purely to help with the hair growth? Is that all it is designed to treat? Are there any side effects, and have you noticed any improvement??

Sorry for going on so long...

Jenx

[bandanna]

hi jenx,

i am 50 mgs of aldactone to help with hirsutism and also hair loss. i've been on it for just about a month so i can't really tell any difference yet, and esp. being such a small dosage. i also have hair everywhere like you.

in terms of side effects, it may affect your kidneys as it tends to spare potassium and sodium, i think. i tend to drink more water these days and watch my potassium and sodium intake. my doctor did a blood test prior to prescribing aldactone. also, as it is a diuretic, you may find yourself having to urinate more frequently. it may also cause irregular period - most take it in conjunction w/ a pill. i haven't been and i noticed my period hasn't come this month.

many women on this site have noticed improvement after taking aldactone - though majority are taking up to 200mgs of aldactone daily. i plan to gradually increase my dosage as well.

i hope i was able to answer your question. please let me know if you have any other questions.

thanks,
bandanna

[pcc10012]

I have polycystic ovaries, annovulation, no AF, elevated LH and testosterone and just a touch of extra hair, which is very manageable so I'm not sure if it's the PCOS or just natural.

[Hezzer]

My symptoms:

- Irregular periods (only 4 in the past 5 years) and when I do have them they last up to two weeks

- Hirtuism (rear end, lower back, around belly button, starting to thicken and grow darker on face in mustache and underchin area)

- acanthosis nigricans (peachy-tannish color above eyelids, tan color in armpits and back of neck, darker tan color in groin area UGGGHHH!!)

- skin tags (mostly in armpit area)

- overweight (I weigh 210 but I should be @ 130.)

- apple shaped figure

- no conception even when not using birth control methods

[ssivakami]

- Irregular or absent periods.
- Tendency to easily gain weight.
- Mild hirtuism (I need to wax/pluck/thread) every 2-3 weeks.
- Ovarian cysts

- S.

[bandanna]

hi,

thank you for sharing your symptoms with me.

for those of you who have hirsutism, which medication are you taking? have you seen any results?

i'm taking aldactone w/out bcp and my period is late (supposed to be on the 6th of august) otherwise it was pretty regular.

thanks again,
bandanna

[ssivakami]

Well, my hirtuism is not so bad .... and so I'm not taking anything for it. I wax/thread every 3 weeks.

- S.

[Cyster Sam]

My symptoms are cystic acne, excess hair (mild) and absent periods.

[jnes]

My symptoms are acne, mild hirutism, annovulation (when I was off the pill for a year I didn't have a single period and gained weight and all the other symptoms got worse too).

Jill

[youlittletart]

I'm 5'11", 135 lbs.
I don't have hirsutism.
I have polycystic appearing ovaries on ultrasound.
My story:
I had irregular periods at age 15, got on BCP to regulate. Got off, and for a year no periods at all at age 19. Diagnosed with PCOS with ultrasound @ 20 (also had blood work). Got back on BCP ages 20-27.
Got off and low and behold regular cycles! Whoo-hoo! Recent ultrasound shows that I stil have polycystic ovaries but all hormone levels are in the norm- no elevated testosterone or funky FSH/LH ratios. I think I am ovulating.
Whoo-hoo!

I think I am a strange case - maybe just borderline PCOS.
TTC#1 right now.
Jen

[Saphire]

My symptoms are irregular periods (only 3 this year so far), also hirutism (have to wax, pluck) which is embarrassing. I am not on any meds yet, waiting for a referral.