Hirsutism support Talk about feelings, how one copes, etc.

This site gives great information about experiences and information learned. But I am wondering if others like myself would like to just get together to just talk about how one feels, copes with hirsutism. Give some experiences about how we struggle day to day with this issue. A great folder to share and understand one anothers experiences just to listen or help problem solve solutions. Or we can just write about anything that we'd like to share. Struggling with hirsutism is a challenge and can effect self and how we relate to others or how we react to things. For example. I really struggled with hirsutism in my teenager years. Although I was told I was pretty people would state if only I could get rid of this excessive hair. I struggled with these comments made to me about my hair growth. but all in all I am thankful that it did not stop me from seeking relationships or accomplishing my goals. The one thing I do struggle with now, is that I am in my mid 30's and notice every year new growth, I wonder how bad will it get and will I be able to cope. I am also married but I never let my husband see me nude and I cant even talk to him about it. I always wonder even though I know he sees my hirsutism will he still be with me when I am 50 and have even worse hirsutism. I guess many women wonder about whether their spouse will find them attractive when they are older. but at this time I would not mind with just dealing with wrinkles since many woman also deal with it. It is harder to deal with something that many women do not deal with or in which I do not know anyone with a similar situation. I tried once to set up a support group with a nurse counselor a long time ago. but no one called to join. So I am glad to have found this site. I am the only one with hirsutism in my immediate close family and friends. I'd like to find others like me to talk to to, support, share etc.

Hi! Have you tried electrolysis or Vanquia? I don't have huisitism but I have TE--they both suck! I too need a friend.

Take care.
Marrie

I have tried electrolysis and actually even learned about electrolysis but never had a business. I am a nurse and I decided that it takes a very skillful electrolysis so damage to the skin is not done but that also it is so hard to make certain that the hair is permanently elimated. I went for electrolysis for a year and it was expensive and not even permanent hair loss was achieved and I went to a RN/electrolysis who had a good practice. I have not used Vanquia although I'd like to hear about anyone who has. What is TE?
Liz

Hirsutism support Talk about feelings, how one copes, etc.

Hi Liz, I'm in my late 30's and have dealt with excess body hair since my mid teens. My husband says that he doesn't mind but what is important is THAT I DO!!
I have tried shaving, waxing, tweezing, bleaching - all temporary solutions. I have had electrolysis done on my upper lip and belly with very good results. It was done about 10 years ago and has been PERMANENT! It was expensive but I could afford it back then. It took about a year to complete treatment on both areas. It would cost me a fortune to get my thighs, upper legs, and arms done.
I am currently looking into laser treatment and/or vitamins and drug therapy. By the way, I found that the hair growth seemed to increase when I took folic acid when trying to get pregnant.
Could anyone tell me whether waxing increases hair growth or stunts it? There seems to be an ongoing controversy with this.
Keep the site going and good luck.

This site is great!! I have been suffereing from excess hair growth ever since I can remember. My mother had told me that she first noticed hair on me when I was 6 years old in my under arms and my pubic area. I am now 25 years old and I feel like sasquatch(sp)!!!! I have hair on my chin, upperlip, sideburns, neck, back, shoulders, lower back, butt, stomach, breats and excess on my thighs. I have gone to a doctor about it and I was put on Spiro but I was told that I would not notice any difference in hair growth until about a year of taking that drug. I have had my testosterone checked and my level is high but not to much above what is considered normal for a female. Like maybe 7-8 points higher than what is considered normal. I have shaved my face for more than 10 years as there has been nothing that made it go away and plucking is out of the question because I have so many folicles on my face I would spend every waking moment plucking them even if I was able to let them grow long enough to do so. By the way I have red hair which does make me more fortunate than some women out there as you can't see it as bad. The only thing that I have found that only seems to work good on my back is Sally Hansen Coarse Hair remover. You can buy it in the drug store or wal-mart. But it doesn't appear to work anywhere else just as good. I am married and my husband says that he doesn't mind it and supports me totally! My periods used to be regular than I started taking the Depo shot and after 2 years I went off it and my period has been irregular ever since. My husband and I have been wanting to get pregnant but since I can't get my period that doesn't work. I was also told that I may suffer from PSOD. But the doctors have been unable to verify that yet. I do not know anybody personally that I could talk to about this problem. I have had close friends that I was able to tell them what I had but it is not the same as noone will ever understand entirely unless you have this problem. I could go on and on but I will stop now. I am very glad to have come across this site and hope to find someone to talk to about this.

Take care.
Michelle W.

Check out Consumerbeware.com - it has a number of discussion boards dealing with both methods of hair removal and emotional issues.
As for whether waxing increases or stunts hair growth, you're right - there is no agreement, even amongst professionals. It seems, there are too many factors - your own metabolism, hormonal levels, etc, so it's impossible to predict.

sorry I did not get back earlier , I hope others still want to support one another.
KATE, I heard that waxing could cause increase growth due to increase blood supply. I gave up trying to figure it out. I read that shaving does not change the hair growth so I mostly shave. Until we can find a permanent solution I will keep doing this.
Shelby as far as PSOD I am also trying to figure out whether I have a mild form of this. I am seeing a gynecologist and endocrinologist. and if you do they should be able to order tests to determine this.
One thing I am glad to hear that the both of you are able to share this with your husband. I have not been able to do that. but I am glad to have come across this site.

hi I was wondering if hirsutism turns out to be a hormone problem , could the medicine prescribed to help treat it affect your body. I am talking about things like weight , bust size , & making you more curvacios , or does it have no effet on that at all?Thanx a lot

Systemic anti androgen drugs can have effects beyond treating the hirsutism. Some women do have changes in weight, some do see an increase in bust size. But these effects only happen in a minority of users.
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Kevin - The management - keratin.com

Hi, I'm a 15 year old girl who has suffered from hirsutism for the past few years and I only just found out what it was, which is kind of sad i know but its been a really embarrassing problem and its been more psychologically upsetting for me than anything. As in, it just makes you depressed and stuff (or me, anyway). I'm finding it really hard to get up the courage to go to a doctor about it, because I feel like once I get in there I'll just get all emotional, and i dont know if this is an overreaction or not but the idea of having someone inspect me and see my "secret" is a bit much. Has anyone else here gone to the doctor about it? What do they do? I just want to be a normal teenager, dammit! I've already suffered enough! My periods are irregular (i wonder if im infertile as well??) even though i got it (my period that is) at 11 yrs old. I've had a desperate search on the internet looking for somewhere to talk about it, as the only person who knows about this problem so far is my mum and dad i think. I'd appreciate anything in response to this, thanks heaps :)