African-American Women with PCOS and Hirsutism

[coco727272]

Hello  everyone, I hope all is well. I was just diagnosed with PCOS although I've had symptoms of it since I was 12 (hirsutism) and I am now 36. My hirsutism was diagnosed as idiopathic because the testing I had did not indicate an elevated testosterone level. I don't know if the testing is more sophisticated now but I had new testing done and it did indicate that my free weak testosterone was elevated.

Anyway, I have a few hairs under my chin, a lot on my neck, chest, stomach, and inner thighs. I know...it's not attractive and very depressing. I pluck (which is not good for you and causes hyperpigmentation) and I shave. I've become very skilled at covering the hyperpigmentation up with concealer but I'm so tired of it. The plucking on my neck has caused so much hyperpigmentation that I have to conceal it or people would look at me and ask me, "What's wrong with your neck?" The skin on my chest also has hyperpigmentation and I only shave this area. I feel like a freak every time I shave my chest because I'm a woman and I'm a woman who loves makeup, clothes, fashion, shoes, etc. It just seems so wrong! If I wear low cut blouses I have to try to conceal the hyperpigmentation but it's difficult because the skin is not completely smooth and it looks like I've shaved so I'm always on the search for really nice big necklaces that would cover this part of my chest. It's difficult being me!!

If anyone can relate to me send me a message and let me know your struggle or what you've done to help this problem. It was difficult for me to share this because although I know it has to do with having PCOS and I did not cause this to happen, it still is embarrassing.

Also, I don't want to seem superficial or extremely vain because I do have other health concerns that are potentially much more damaging than the aesthetic ramifications of hirsutism but I just want to know if other African-American women are experiencing this because our skin is slightly different.

Thanks.

[nita808]

Did it work?

[hope1764]

Please consider becoming a vegan, possibly becoming a raw vegan and increasing your use of licorice and Inositol.  An excellent product to use is Chiral Balance.  I in no way work for this company but have suffered from all these symptoms since I was 15, still suffer from Hyperpigmentation but have greatly reduced many of my issues by eliminating meat from my diet, going mostly raw and taking Inositol based products.

[Inspired1]

Hello.  I saw your post about the Saw Palmetto and I started taking it.  How long were you taking it before you noticed less hair?  thanks

[missunderstood23]

Hi im also african american. I been dealing with irregular periods since i was 14. Got my period when in was 12. Got diagnois with pcos when i was 20. During that time i thought that it was okay for women to have irregular periods. My mom said that "your body is trying to regulate itself out". When i was 15 i went to the doctor and the doctors and nurses thought i was pregrant. Like what its okay to be pregrant for one in a half years!!!!!. Now im started to notice the hairs on my face. And my legs hair is just outrageous.

[Bcooltrice]

Has anyone tried Maca root? It is a superfood that comes in powder or capsule form and it is whats called an "adaptogen" that adapts to your specific need in the area of your hormone production and regulates production for you. You have to take it over an extended period of time..a couple of weeks then take a few days off. I have started taking it in powder form (only a couple days ago)Its not very tasty but if it is blended (I started with a table spoon/day) with a banana, chocolate syrup and some almond milk it is tolerable.

[Romana30]

Hi,
I am an African native, 29 years old. I suffer from excessive hair growth on my chin, abdomen and the worst I cant take is my breast. It has really affected me..socially psychologically as well. after my boyfriend walked out from our 5 almost 6 years relationship without explaining why, every time I look at my flat hairy breasts I tell myself "this" is the reason he couldnt stay. Its been four years now and I am too scared to be in a committed relationship, thinking that what man will ever tolerate "this".

So I live in Tanzania "where Mount Kilimanjaro is", there are no means or doctors for hirsutism,I have never heard of anyone talking about it...its as if its not there but a lot of women have it. I see women with hairy chests and chins...sometimes its beard on a woman. People bully us out here and say we bleach our skin so the hair is the outcome of the chemicals ( which I haven't) .  They have no idea how hard it is to live with this. they laugh and point fingers, that's the reason why I started to pluck which has led to ingrowing hairs and discoloration. So I rely on the internet hoping may be one day God will reveal to a person a total cure for this damaging situation. I feel really ugly and unattractive, and hopeless...thinking how I am going to have to live with this....

Roselyne (Tanzania)