Woman with hairy faces? Is it normal?

[Toothpastey]

So I know that facial hair in women is normal, but how do you know when it’s too much?

I’ve had period troubles and have been asked before about if I get excess hair but I don’t know what amount is normal and what is excess!

I have patches of hair on my chin and side burns, not normal fuzzy hair it’s proper hairs, aswell as my sideburns, on patches down my neck, and on my chests/breasts area and all around my belly button.

once I remove the hair it grows back so quickly- its stubbley after 12 hours and regrowing by the next day. I’ve tried all sorts of hair removal methods and nothing lasts

ive attached a photo of the patches of hair on my chin (as obviously I don’t want to attach photos of anywhere else!) but that’s what it’s like on all the other areas too. I had the hair removed yesterday morning but it’s already grown in.

when is it normal and when is it not?!

Did they tell you exactly what your hormone levels were in your blood test?

You might have been technically within the normal range but right at the top of it - which could result in some symptoms of PCOS but not actually meet the criteria for a diagnosis.

Either way I think you should go back to the GP because it is more than average facial hair and the spots are telling you something is out of balance, too. Good luck.

The type of hair you have and the spots would suggest PCOS. Best thing you can do is get a home laser hair removal kit as the hair growth may get worse without medication.

I have a hairy chin. sick of plucking at this point

Just hear to echo PCOS. I also have it. I do laser for my face.

Looks similar to mines, I've got PCOS

PCOS. My cousin has it and really struggles with excess hair.

Definitely excessive for a woman. Agree with others re PCOS

Facial hair can vary a lot within the 'normal' range and also by ethnicity but yes, I'd say that looks excessive and like something caused by a hormonal problem, particularly as you're also getting breakouts. (I sympathise re the breakouts, by the way - I had AWFUL breakouts for about 18 months recently, which also had a hormonal cause. Soliditary!)

I have the same. Even if I pluck every morning there are new hairs on my chin by bedtime. All my hormone tests etc have always come back normal. It's a terrible pain in the arse

I have similar or more hair, though mine is lower down the chin than yours. Possibly PCOS, but not necessarily: hirsutism is an effect of not so few conditions, so if your ovaries are fine, it doesn't follow that there's no hormonal problem. You may have another thyroid issue as well. I do not have PCOS (gynecologically everything is fine with me) but nevertheless I have excessive hair growth.

I echo the above suggestion for hormonal testing. I recently had tests done for excessive hair growth. I had tests done for 19 hormones/factors: testosterone, DHEA SO4, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, prolactin, LH, FSH, estradiol, SHBG, creatine, AST aspartate, AST alanine, glucose, insulin, TSH, FT3, FT4, anti-TG, anti-TPO.

I previously had a shorter list of tests done with everything coming out within norms. This was because they didn't test for the things that came out as abnormal in this test and also because the GP just scheduled me in for a random date without taking into account the phase of the menstrual cycle. This time, I was told to have it done between days 2-4 of the menstrual cycle (some of them of course don't need it, but you may as well have the tests done at once). Be aware of that.

If you don't have PCOS and need removal I can recommend Skn clinics. Over time it reduces the hair. I have used them and it has made a massive difference. They are based in the UK. A friend's sister, who is a doctor, recommended them to me. Good luck

The amount of hair you have is "excessive" for a woman but it's not uncommon. I think around 10% of women have PCOS and I know a few who have hair similar to yours.

I have pcos and mine is unfortunately 10 times worse than yours. Laser doesn't work in long run and will just all come back. I just shave everyday and put make up on to hide the shadow of growth.

Ah bless you OP. I don't really know what's "normal", but I get sometimes hairy eyebrows which I need waxing every 4 weeks and a tiny bit of growth on my upper lip which again I get waxed every 8 weeks ish. I don't have hair anywhere else except my head and legs! Arms just have blond hair you can't see. I have no chin hair, chest hair or back hair. Hope that helps!

I have PCOS and less facial hair than you have (although I don't leave the house without my tweezers!). I agree with pp that just the blood test isn't enough. What is your age and do you want children? If you want to have children then there is a possibility that you will need fertility treatments (not a given, plenty of women with PCOS conceive naturally but it is one of the reasons that women can struggle conceiving). If you don't want children then a contraceptive pill might help but also ask for a dermatologist. There are so many treatments out there that you are best guided by a professional.

Just to be sure: you aren't pregnant? My facial hair snd skin got worse during pregnancy.

My dh has pcos and has the very symptoms you are describing op.
She recently had ultrasounds but they showed up nothing on her ovaries which is frustrating. She has had a blood test which I think showed a hormonal imbalance. She is currently deciding what to do next as she really hoped the ultrasounds would show something that could be treated

I have similar since a teen although worsened in late 30s (mainly on chin and moustache area, a couple on cheeks and softer hairs on boobs and belly). I definitely don’t have PCOS or hormonal imbalances as I have been repeatedly tested to the max doing private IVF on everything like this - everything is normal.

I have very fine/blonde hair on my legs and arms everywhere else btw. You can barely see those!

100% this. I was you 30 years ago. The Dr told me I’d never have children! Just like it was a throwaway remark. I did really struggle to conceive, sort of gave up until I got a surprise 40th birthday present.

I feel a bit deflated reading this thread as I suffer with a similar problem to you and have done for years but I have also been tested for PCOS and do not have it. I have also tried IPL over the years and see no difference at all. Was really hoping to see some replies that had results from other things and not just PCOS

I don't think you can be sure about PCOS just from blood tests, can you? Need to look at the ovaries on a scan? At least that's how mine was diagnosed (and yes, I have lots of chin hair that I tweezer out each day, and needed cloned to conceive).

Argh - spelling - clovid not clone. Although cleaning myself might have been an easier way to have kids!

I have exactly the same. I'm now in my late 40s but have had this since my early 30s. GP wasn't interested in helping me after a blood test came back 'normal'. I now do a mix of shave, epilate and tweeze throughout the day to keep on top of hairs. Its embarrassing and I feel very self conscious 🙁

I should add this occurred after having my 2 children.