Oh my God, it's worse than I thought.

[NovaScotiaNewfie]

So I was in the shower, doing my whole hair-removal routine (I tend to do it late at night; I'm a grad student living in a dorm, so late at night people tend not to be waiting for the shower, you know?)

Anyway, I did my legs and under my arms, then my "not-so-happy" trail and my pubic area. Now, I'm single, so I don't do my inner thighs very often. Actually, I'd say it's been six months or more since I paid any attention to them, and I just...don't look at them often, you know? But tonight for some reason I decided to see what the damage was.

Oh. My. God.

You guys, it's so much worse than I thought. My inner thighs...I look like a man. I cried while I was shaving them. I just couldn't help it. Like I don't feel unfeminine enough without this? I can't even believe it.

I think at my next appointment -- in February -- I'll ask my gyno about what meds he can give me to control the abnormal hair growth. I don't like taking unnecessary drugs, but this is just too much. Maybe if the hair growth slowed I could stop feeling like a damn ape.

Sorry about the random rant; I just had to tell someone, and I knew you all would understand...

[donniedodo]

Aww I'm sorry you feel so upset about it!

My excess hair is in the same places as you, plus some on my back and my toes. I asked my doc for something (anything!) which would help the excess hair at my appointment before the summer. I'm on Yasmin at the moment, but was on Dianette for 3 months (I didn't like the side effects so I switched) but the Dianette definatly worked, I'm still waiting to see anything new from Yasmin. But it's helped my confidence so much, even though the only other person that gets to see it if my bf because I tend to keep my fuzz hidden/shaved/waxed etc.

Even though you don't like unneeded meds, I'd suggest trying whatever your doc gives you got a few months, and seeing how you get on. You can always stop if don't want to keep taking them. I'm usually on BCP anyway so I was pretty happy to change to a different one if it was gonna help with the hair. I managed to go over 2 months without having to wax my happy trail, usually I have to do it every 4-6 weeks.

[NovaScotiaNewfie]

Yeah, I plan to stick to my meds -- even though I don't like taking "unnecessary" meds, I know these BCPs are totally necessary!

At my follow-up appointment in February, once my doc decides how I'm doing, I'm going to broach the subject of other treatments for the hair. I can't remember if he said anything about the pill I'm on now (Min-Ovral 28) in terms of hair growth, but I'll see how it goes and then ask him in February.

I also have hair on my lower back; I just don't do anything about it because, well, I can't see it -- plus I have short arms and can barely reach it! *lol*

Thanks for your comment; it's so wonderful to finally have found this board! At last, I know there are a whole group of women who know what I'm going through!

[Eva37]

aww- i so know what you mean! i try to remove as much as poss each time i shave, that way it doesnt seem as much. if you see what i mean.....

[mahjab]

My thighs are also nasty hairy. Plus I've been getting infected ingrown hairs on them....ughhh.
It's ok, it can be dealt with. You can get waxed or laser treatments. I've just started on the laser treatments. After one session I haven't seen any change so I guess it'll take some time.

[Betwixt]

I make it like a game and it seems less daunting. It's the "how much can we remove this time!" game. We and by we I mean I, see how much of the hairs I can shave off and get in the razor.

Here I thought I had really long hairs from my head just floating down while I was shaving. Maybe they were thigh hairs. Eep.

[Samanthavemm]

they have me on aldactone/spironolact for my hair. It helps to a certain degree. They still get out of control at times

[Leah97229]

I have a lot of hair on inner thighs too and get the ingrowns. I know that spiro works well for me, but I am breastfeeding and plan to TTC again soon, so I can't take it right now. I guess I just deal with it as best as I can until I can get back on the spiro. If you can, you should try spiro or BCPs.

[bells4her]

i've been told that Metformin can help with hair. my dr said it would slow the growth i have (although not get rid of it) and prevent brand new hairs from starting. i haven't been on it all that long, so i can't really speak to whether it works or not, but i just figured i'd put in my 2 cents!

[lizcharles]

my thighs arent so bad but the BACKS of my legs are sooo thick and they are impossible to reach!

[APSUchick2006]

I know how horrible that can be! *hugs* The excess hair is my worst self-esteem issue when it comes to PCOS...I can deal with the extra weight...and the abnormal periods...and the general fatigue feeling that I carry around...and even the little skin tags that have been popping up recently, but when it comes to the excess hair I just HATE it. It keeps me from swimming with my friends, wearing cute outfits during the summer, and it even keeps me from dating sometimes because I'm worried about what guys will think about it. It just makes me feel so different and unattractive.

That said...I was put on Yasmin a year ago for this reason (well...and the lack of a period...) and it has actually helped some. I wont say that the hair is completely gone, because it is most definitely not, but after being on the Yasmin a few months the hair started to grow back slower and less stubbley. So I say go to your doctor and just give whatever medicine he/she offers you a chance, because it just might work. =)

Good luck! I hope it gets better for you.

[seats]

my thighs isnt so bad. it is the side of my face (side burns), my chin, the trail down my stomach and around my nipples that is bad.

i have hair on the low part of my back to but it isnt so bad.

[Spider]

I have the same problem! I hate it! And I hate the idea of BCP's ever since I took Yasmin (it made my hair fall out), so I tend to lean toward natural remedies. I've found that the combo of a healthy,all natural,low carb diet, exercise, and spearmint tea has helped me with my hair growth. I take licorice root extract for a week every month, and that seems to help too. It helps with my mood, at least!
Also, I must tell you, I've found ways to make my thighs look almost okay (as long as they're shaved, of course): You must exfoliate regularly! After you shave, use a product like "Tend Skin", which helps with razor burn & ingrown hairs - I used to be plagued with ingrowns, but now I rarely get them! But still, I will NEVER be comfortable in a swim suit. I try not to dwell on it too much.
Ugh, having to deal with this can be so emotionally draining. You are not alone!

[Trinity1974]

hair is my nightmare...and the one thing that makes me cry the hardest about any of this.. it makes me feel like I'm not a female especially since my excess hair is in the face and the chest regions.. I tried waxing.. ouch.. I tried bleaching..didn't work.. I tried that cream face remover by nair.. pfft it still left stubbles I had to end up shaving away.. I hate having facial hair I remember when I first met my soon to be hubby he reached out one night to touch my face and I flipped I was so scared he'd think I was ugly because of the stubble

On the lighter side I've been on Yaz now for about 5 months.. it's helped. It's not as thick as it used to be.. It takes longer to grow. Last appointment the Endro offered me a med to help with the hair growth I declined it at the time but I think when I go in Feb I'm going to take her up on the offer.

[NZ Girl]

I know exactly how you guys feel. I have terrible growth on my upper legs. I am truely blest with a sister in law who is a beauty therapist. She waxs me from head to toe every 3 weeks. If you can stand the pain I would suggest waxing, it really slows the growth and makes it more sparse.