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Original poster

Please, please help me - Hirsutism

93 replies

Hairyhelpme · 02/07/2019 19:55

Name changed and posting here for traffic - sorry.

I'm 29 but have suffered with excessive hair growth for as long as I can remember. I have to shave my face every morning (and by the evening it's already stubbly), my chest and nipple area, belly, lower back is all hairy. Dark noticeable hairs. I'm actually so low about how my body looks and having to shave my face daily resulting in spots and the occasional cut. I have nightmares about having an accident which leaves me in a coma because I wouldn't be able to shave and my chin / face would become visibly hairy.

Does anyone else have excessive hair growth or Hirsutism and can advise me on what you've done? Is there anything a doctor would do? Can I be prescribed (even if it costs me) a hormone treatment that a transgender man would perhaps take to reduce the make hormone? I am literally desperate and the thought of shaving my face every day for the rest of my life makes me want to sob.

Sorry this is so long and thank you if you've read it all. I've never wrote it all out before and even though I've name changed and this is anonymous, I still feel a sting of embarrassment writing it. Please don't judge me. I'm disgusting and I know so. The mirror reminds me of that daily :(

OP posts:
Lisette1940 · 02/07/2019 21:52

I think a lot of us have this problem OP. It's the only thing I'd change about myself if I had a magic wand.

GabriellaMontez · 02/07/2019 21:54

Laser changed my life.

Please order a lumea immediately.

I had a 12 week prof course then got a lumea. Used it regularly for about 6 months. Now just occasionally.

I had blood tests etc but they were normal. Just unlucky.

zcazca · 02/07/2019 21:55

My stomach was worse prior to my laser treatment. Also, cannot recommend the Philips Lumea enough. I am half-Indian with extremely thick dark hair and it was a game changer.

I had my face professionally lasered and it was life-changing.

I'm curious, do any of you hirsute ladies have a male twin brother?

GabriellaMontez · 02/07/2019 21:56

No!

zcazca · 02/07/2019 21:57
Flowers

I know how tough this can be. I'm considered conventionally good looking but was basically a hermit for a year of my life due to low self-esteem.

icannotremember · 02/07/2019 21:57

Just adding my voice to the "get a lumea" chorus. I wish I'd got one ages ago. They honestly bloody work!

Flupibass · 02/07/2019 22:01

If you can afford it go to a salon that specialises in laser hair removal. It’s brilliant and permanent. It will make a huge difference to your life..You have a treatment approx every 6 weeks , roughly 8-10 times, but you’ll notice a difference after the 1st one.
Definitely see an understanding good gp. Good luck, you shouldn’t have to suffer like this.

TheRealShatParp · 02/07/2019 22:06

Hi OP.
I too have struggled with excess hair. I went to the GP years ago and was prescribed dianette (a contraceptive pill) but I was told that there is a time limit to how long you can take it so I didn’t want to take it knowing I’d have to stop in a few months and be in the same position a few months later. I was tested for PCOS but did not have that.
I considered laser hair removal but was told that I’d need to shave my face first and that scared me too much. I don’t shave my face, but I tweeze quite a number of hairs regularly. It feels like playing with fire when it comes to facial hair remover.
I have really struggled emotionally in the past. I was so self conscious and would always be upset about it. It dominated my life and my thoughts. I’m still self conscious now but not as much. I guess I’ve just come to accept it. Perhaps it’s because I’ve also noticed it on quite a few other women and come to realise that it doesn’t have an impact on their beauty and personality. I just don’t care that much anymore.

zcazca · 02/07/2019 22:09

I'm convinced my PCOS and hairiness is a result of sharing a womb with my brother and his testosterone.

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190318151730.htm

Thanks, bro.

TheRealShatParp · 02/07/2019 22:09

*removal (not remover)

Taking of facial hair remover, I have used that but find it’s left a bit of a dark shadow where my ‘tache used to be.

PookieDo · 02/07/2019 22:10

@NoAngel1
I am trying not to crap myself too much that this is what is wrong with me
Did they do anything to shrink it?

Remoteisland · 02/07/2019 22:11

Has anyone here NOT had success with the Phillips Lumea? I’ve had 4 laser treatments so far in a reputable clinic that friends have had enormous success with. Some areas, like underarms, have had a noticeable reduction but the hairy bits which ‘shouldn’t’ be there (nipples, stomach etc) are still going strong. Some reduction but hardly any. I’m wondering if Phillips is my next step or, if laser didn’t work, maybe Phillips wouldn’t either? Giving serious consideration to old-fashioned electrolysis... anyone got any advice on this (sorry if this is hijacking the thread!).

tealandteal · 02/07/2019 22:13

Just another one saying phillips lumea has been an absolute game changer. I have laser hair removal on my upper lip and that lasted about 4 years before needing a top up. Having a baby sent my facial hair in particular haywire and it worked fine outy cheaper to buy the lumea than payment for the laser sessions for multiple areas of the face. Plus side for the lumea is that I have used it on other body parts that didn't bother me as much. Bikini line is swimsuit ready 8 weeks after waxing, with fortnightly lumea treatments! Prior to laser treatment I had to not remove any hair for at least a week so they had something to target which I found hard but lumea you use on shaven or waxed skin. I would also recommend the GP, dianette had a real impact however you cannot be prescribed it long term, I had it for a year.

Meanmate · 02/07/2019 22:18

OP you are not disgusting. You are loved by your family, in spite of your hairy bits. Remember that this doesn’t define you.
I get it though. I have bad skin and that causes me similar worries. I hope you sort it out, sounds like some great advice on here.
Sending you a big boost of female solidarity, you deserve it.

Lisette1940 · 02/07/2019 22:19

Remoteisland - Philips refunded me for the compact Lumea - no joy with it.

NoAngel1 · 02/07/2019 22:21

@PookieDo sorry to cause alarm. It was nothing serious at all. Mine is/was tiny and I haven’t needed to do anything. I took bromocriptine briefly as I was lactating slightly. But since my hormones went back to normal after pregnancy I haven’t needed any medication.
I think it’s extremely rare for a prolactinoma to need anything doing and one consultant informed me that they’re probably more common than we think but many people are asymptomatic.
I saw another consultant who said I probably didn’t have a prolactinoma and that the scan just showed a ‘little bump’ and I probably have a type of PCOS. But I became pregnant with both of my children within one month of trying so he then decided it would be unlikely I have anything wrong and discharged me!

Sorry for rambling on. I do hope you get yours sorted, it can be scary but it isn’t something you should worry about xx

SignedUpJust4This · 02/07/2019 22:22

I heard electrolysis was the only real permanent method but I had it every fortnight for 6 months and it made no difference. Anyone had similar? Is it still worth trying a lumea?

PotteryLottery · 02/07/2019 22:24

Lumea doesnt work on my underarms but works on lip and legs and arms.

Sylvia Lewis Electrolysis worked for my chin.

stellanova86 · 02/07/2019 22:24

You need laser hair removal.

I am in a similar position to you and have just bought half price full body laser removal for £1.5k.

I am 4 treatments in and I cannot tell you the transformation. I used to shave my legs in the morning and by night they would be thick stubble. I have not shaved my legs for 6 weeks!!!!!!!! My bikini line is also unvelivebly hair free, not as good as legs but this is because the hair follicle isn't straight on the bikini so needs at least 6 treatments to really zap.

Worth every single penny.
It stings but it's worth it.

PookieDo · 02/07/2019 22:35

@NoAngel1 no thanks that is helpful
Mine showed up during PCOS testing in actual fact
I have no lactating but a lot of excess hair, butterfly shape facial melasma and womb fibroids that keep growing back and I had a large cyst on my ovary. I have been feeling really rough for a while now

breakfastpizza · 02/07/2019 22:35

I was very similar to you OP and home machines will NOT work longterm.

Go straight to laser. You want something in the Candela range. I had around 6-7 sessions and I've been totally hair free for five years+. Legs, back, bum, tummy, pits - everywhere. The technician (a registered nurse) was so lovely and sensitive. She kept saying it would be life changing and she was absolutely right.

I spent so much money and time trying to fix myself with hormones and home treatments. I wish I'd done laser at 18 and been done with it.

PookieDo · 02/07/2019 22:37

I am reluctant to spend £250 on a machine that might not work to be honest!

theunrivalledjoysofparenting · 02/07/2019 22:38

Op, you are not disgusting. You have more hair than most women, that’s all.

You’ve had loads of good advice here, and I hope you find something that works soon. Sending you Flowers

breakfastpizza · 02/07/2019 22:39

@Remoteisland Do you know what machine they are using on you?

Haworthia · 02/07/2019 22:43

Definitely speak to a GP so they can send you for blood tests. It will almost certainly be hormonal and I’m sure there are things that can be done. I would definitely investigate the root cause before investing in something like the Lumea.