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African-American Women with PCOS and Hirsutism
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.
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.
I am so glad I found this forum. I am 25 and was diagnosed with PCOS last year. I had been experiencing the crazy hair growth on my neck, chin, and jawline. Everytime I try to remove it, even shaving, it leave little black marks on my skin. And it seems like the skin is getting thicker in that area. My mood swings were just awful. And anxiety over nothing. Then there were the missing periods. I could go up to 6 months without a period. My mother recommended vitex to me and it took about 4 months before I noticed a difference, but my periods came back to normal and my moods improved quite a bit. On my last appointment to see my Doctor, she put me on birth control and told me to stop taking the vitex because it wasn't aporved by the FDA. I went against my better judgement and started taking sprintec. I gained 25 pounds in 3 months. my eating habits have not changed. I know it was the pill. I feel so bloated and miserable. I stopped taking it in the middle of the pack and went right back to vitex.
I know that most of my problems are because of my eating habits and my weight. I have done so much research on this, that at the end of the day I really just have to lose weight because I'm tired of hiding because of this excess hairgrowth and not allowing my husband to kiss me on my cheek or neck.
This is a very difficult and emotional thing to deal with and I'm sorry that you all have to go through this too, but it is nice to know there is someone to relate to because none of my friends or family are familiar with this.
I'm praying for you all and please pray for me too
I know that most of my problems are because of my eating habits and my weight. I have done so much research on this, that at the end of the day I really just have to lose weight because I'm tired of hiding because of this excess hairgrowth and not allowing my husband to kiss me on my cheek or neck.
This is a very difficult and emotional thing to deal with and I'm sorry that you all have to go through this too, but it is nice to know there is someone to relate to because none of my friends or family are familiar with this.
I'm praying for you all and please pray for me too
God bless you for your comment. I have not been diagnosed by a Dr. but I took a self-diagnose test on the internet and found that I too have pcos. My high school boyfriend discovered my first hair when I was in 10th grade so I was like 15. As the years went on and I gain more weight, the hair got worse. I'm 29 now and just fed up! I never heard of pcos before until I went to visit a electrolysis who insisted that I have this condition due to the texture of my hair. She told me to confirm with a Dr. but from her years of practice, she knows that I have this condition. I want children and it has been hard for me to conceive but I know God will bless me with children because that is His promise to me but I know He wants me healthy. I've only been pregnant once in my life after trying for 3yrs straight with my ex-husband. I lost my son in that pregnancy though. But now I'm married again and I'm trying again for a child but things have gotten real crazy with my body. Hormones out of wack, abnormal periods, I gain 50lbs in like 3-4 months. This is what really set off the alarms for me. I have gained weight throughout the years but never like this. I'm so glad I found this post! It has help me a lot and your testimony has helped me out a lot. I will try the things you have tried and pray to God that He gives me the same results as you. Please pray for me!!
Hi Ladies,
I believe that PCOS is completely curable by lifestyle changes. I am a 30 year old Black woman and have experienced the unwanted facial hair, dark neck, underarms and thighs, skin tags, large midsection, back fat, slim legs and thighs is comparison to the rest of my body. It really is a difficult thing.
The thing is that I was always very athletic. I played in organized sports from a very young age all the way into college in which I believe, kept the symptoms from worsening. I was always jealous of feminine shaped women, because I always seemed to be shaped like a coke can instead of a coke bottle after exercising day and night!!!! I went on all types of diets too--- low calorie, low fat, not eating after 5pm. You name it and I tried it and NOTHING worked.
I learned about PCOS reading a magazine and that began my search. I went to doctors who either dismissed my claims, gave crazy suggestions, or didn't have a clue. I then decided to "doctor" myself and seek out remedies for this thing. Meanwhile, I prayed to God for direction on this issue,because the women in my family have never experienced anything like what I was going through. God is so good, because He led me to many resources.
This is what worked for me:
- Most instances of PCOS are linked DIRECTLY to diet.
- Realizing that the typical American diet is truly not for me (white flour, white sugar, high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, preservatives, all fast foods, all sugary beverages and junk foods).
- I had to treat my body like a rose garden and decide if everything I put in my mouth was natural and God given, did not have the above listed items and didn't contain any name on its packaging that I could pronounce.
- Took basic vitamins, drank loads of water and herbal teas.
- I prepared most of my foods, and looked up the most suitable food choices at common restaurants I frequented (usually I stick to lean baked or broiled protein such as fish, chicken, beef w/o any breading or sauces, a plain small baked potato, steamed vegetables, a salad, or a clear broth-based soup).
- MILD, fun exercise. Walking briskly and dancing or step aerobics(when I craved some higher intensity).
Ladies I underwent the most dramatic change in only 4 months (crying happy tears)!!! I went to visit my sister and she walked right past me because I was unrecognizable. I lost about 40-50 pounds, my shape became womanly, my skin evened up in tone, the hair basically disappeared, feeling shaky for food disappeared,etc. I was a NEW woman. All of this occured without medication. This change is available to all of us, but it is difficult due to the fact that we are conditioned to believe that the way we eat is normal and in some of us this will develop into PCOS problems. You will definitely have to be disciplined and stick with it, but I feel better emotionally, mentally and physically. You've basically tried everything else, so you might as well give this a try. God bless all of us!!!
I believe that PCOS is completely curable by lifestyle changes. I am a 30 year old Black woman and have experienced the unwanted facial hair, dark neck, underarms and thighs, skin tags, large midsection, back fat, slim legs and thighs is comparison to the rest of my body. It really is a difficult thing.
The thing is that I was always very athletic. I played in organized sports from a very young age all the way into college in which I believe, kept the symptoms from worsening. I was always jealous of feminine shaped women, because I always seemed to be shaped like a coke can instead of a coke bottle after exercising day and night!!!! I went on all types of diets too--- low calorie, low fat, not eating after 5pm. You name it and I tried it and NOTHING worked.
I learned about PCOS reading a magazine and that began my search. I went to doctors who either dismissed my claims, gave crazy suggestions, or didn't have a clue. I then decided to "doctor" myself and seek out remedies for this thing. Meanwhile, I prayed to God for direction on this issue,because the women in my family have never experienced anything like what I was going through. God is so good, because He led me to many resources.
This is what worked for me:
- Most instances of PCOS are linked DIRECTLY to diet.
- Realizing that the typical American diet is truly not for me (white flour, white sugar, high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, preservatives, all fast foods, all sugary beverages and junk foods).
- I had to treat my body like a rose garden and decide if everything I put in my mouth was natural and God given, did not have the above listed items and didn't contain any name on its packaging that I could pronounce.
- Took basic vitamins, drank loads of water and herbal teas.
- I prepared most of my foods, and looked up the most suitable food choices at common restaurants I frequented (usually I stick to lean baked or broiled protein such as fish, chicken, beef w/o any breading or sauces, a plain small baked potato, steamed vegetables, a salad, or a clear broth-based soup).
- MILD, fun exercise. Walking briskly and dancing or step aerobics(when I craved some higher intensity).
Ladies I underwent the most dramatic change in only 4 months (crying happy tears)!!! I went to visit my sister and she walked right past me because I was unrecognizable. I lost about 40-50 pounds, my shape became womanly, my skin evened up in tone, the hair basically disappeared, feeling shaky for food disappeared,etc. I was a NEW woman. All of this occured without medication. This change is available to all of us, but it is difficult due to the fact that we are conditioned to believe that the way we eat is normal and in some of us this will develop into PCOS problems. You will definitely have to be disciplined and stick with it, but I feel better emotionally, mentally and physically. You've basically tried everything else, so you might as well give this a try. God bless all of us!!!
This post and the comments have helped me TREMENDOUSLY!! Like a lot of you I felt alone, and no matter how beautiful my friends and fam say I am I never felt it. I still don't even after dabbling in modeling for a little while. I felt crazy because I was the one model that had to be plastered with concealer before applying make-up. I mastered the art of posing at certain angles to conceal the hyper-pigmentation. It really can be heart breaking. I'm soooo happy to know that I'm not the only one. I've recently discovered a medi-spa in Miami, that I'm considering going to, they offer Cool Glide, and its supposed to be good for darker skinned women. Wish me luck! =]
Hi I dont have PCOS but I do suffer from hyperpigmentation. I have recently found a product online at blackskin.com its called intensive fade gel. Let me tell you I have tried almost every product on the market and this is the first that has shown progress as early as three days. This product is specifically designed for African Americans. Please take a look! Hope this is helpful!!
Thanks ladies I have pcos too. Doing some research on the syndrome b/c I just found out I had it I also have facial hair and everything you all opened up about will help me so so much..the first thing I told my doc was it has to b me but now u see its not just me ...thank u so much I see its been years but as you also can see that it still matter so much -thanks:)
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