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hirsutism

Posted , 8 users are following.

sarah_hart
sarah_hart

:cry: Ive got to the stage in my life now when i have to insist that someone takes my condition (+ feelings) seriously. I started having my legs waxed at 18, my beautician suggested going on a combined pill, she said it helped, so i did, but it didn't! I spent all my 'courting' years, shaving every day (and sometimes night too) so my partner didn't realise i was hairy. in the final stage of pregnancy with my son, i became excessively hairy on my face, the doctor said it was an increase of m,ale hormones and it shoudl calm down, that was 14 years ago, im now 44, divorced and i dont socialise at all, i thought i controlled the hair on my chin well, until people at work started talking about it and last xmas, my boss (who is lovely) got a bit drunk and felt under my chin and asked if 'it' itched and did i shave or pluck? i was mortified as i'd only plucked the hairs a couple of hours earlier, but there are some i cant get as they grow under the skin and i have to 'dig' them out with tweezers causing bleeding and redness. I had a test patch done on my leg with a laser machine a couple of years ago, it caused much discomfort and scarring for a few weeks, and although the results were pleasing, the massive expense and also not being able to pluck the hairs, having to let them grow in metween treatments would be too much to bare. I have been on my own for nearly 2 years, i had a date a few weeks ago, but afterwards, i received a text message saying that i was not what he expected and he told a friend that he could not go out with someone who could gorw a better beard than him, so now there is no way i'll consider entering into a relationship or even dating again. From a distance and in passing, i get a lot of attention from men who say that i dont look any older than 30, even my son in law when he first saw me, thought i was my daughters sister, it's just a shame that doctors dont want to be bothered with people in my situation and that controlled therapy is either painfull and/or unbelievably expensive - im a single parent and struggle to keep my house and family comfortable, so even if i could put up with hair regrowth during laser sessions, i couldn't afford treatment anyway.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • fay10
    fay10

    Posted

    Hi Sarah

    I came across your post while looking for something else, but feel I can offer a few bits of advice - my daughter suffers from PCOS which can result in hirsutism so I have looked into this.

    Firstly as a woman I feel your pain on this one. My advice is to go to your GP, more than once if you have to, or try different GP's in the practice till you get one that takes you seriously. Basically within the NHS now it's who shouts the loudest gets the action in my experience. Put all the above frankly and emphasise how much it is now affecting your confidence, your mental health, that you are now changing your behaviour to avoid situations - say it's not about being vain, but preserving your sanity!! Dianette (combined pill) can help but at 44 the health professionals don't recommend being on the pill - therefore can they pull their finger out and offer some help.

    Have a look at Soprano laser - my daughter is currently having this, paid for by a lovely dad! - it doesn't hurt, works best on darker hairs and they require you to have shaved just before treatment for the best results (the shorter the hair, the more damage to the hair follicle). She's currently halfway through a course of 6 and the hair is definitely getting finer.

    I wish you all the very best of luck.

  • Smurflbws
    Smurflbws

    Posted

    The tough bit is you are more than what your body is. There have been several programs on 'hairy women' and not all men are turned off by them. Some argue that hairy pits are not a bother to men because they have hairy pits too.

    There is no law to say women ought to shave and if it is really a hassle why should you put yourself through it. IMO you boss was way out of line and could constitute as a form of harrassment. Anyway the other side is to embrace your body hair. Let it grow and stare at it. Feel it, but seriously think why should you let closed minded people make judgements. In the long run you will save money from hair removal products. As it is nearing winter you can get away by covering up.

    Cheers

  • music_is_lovely
    music_is_lovely

    Posted

    Perhaps alternative medicene. western medicence is not always so great. sometimes the "old ways" deserve a shot. just do your research first. good luck.
  • Mrs_b78
    Mrs_b78 sarah_hart

    Posted

    I too suffer with facial hair currently having my testosterone levels checked, have you considered threading, it's relatively inexpensive but a little painful (bit like the tattoo pain) but bearable. Some simple tips for threading take paracetamol and ibuprofen about 45 mins before your appointment with a caffiene drink as this helps absorb the painkillers, avoid make up a couple of days before and after but certainly on the day to keep your pores clean and most importantly don't touch your skin afterwards for the day as your pores are open and this will lead to spots. You may get spots after your first couple of visits but your skin gets used to it, the benefits out way this as you will have hair free skin for about 4 weeks and it can be done at a very short length so no growth in between. Some superdrugs have threading bars in them. Insist on blood test though in particular high testosterone levels, insist on estrogen levels too as low estrogen can cause high testosterone. Good luck and don't give up x
  • melle1969
    melle1969 sarah_hart

    Posted

    I dont know how long ago..you wrote this but i know how how you feel im in the same situation... Single ,and my whole chin is covered in dark hair which i have waxed ever 3 weeks as well as legs lip eye brows but it only lasts a day or so.

    Its heart breaking .

    I really hope u have met someone x

  • deniseFromBBC
    deniseFromBBC sarah_hart

    Posted

    Hi there guys. We are looking for people with Hirutism for a BBC3 short form show that aims at educating the public on different issues people face. If you are interested in sharing your experience or just want to be involved in helping develop the show, please contact me at:

    DAlder@mentorn.tv

    Or on 078786609393

    Thank you!

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