Hirsutism and PCOS
HELP! I have thick, dark hair on my face and I feel like I'm growing a beard.
You are not alone! Lots of women experience this same thing, for many different reasons. You may be shaving or waxing constantly and it can be very embarrassing. The good news is, electrolysis can help!
What is the deal with all the hair?
When excessive hair growth occurs on unexpected areas of the female body such as the face, chest, and back in the manner in which males would commonly experience hair growth, it is called Hirsutism.
What causes Hirsutism?
It is most often associated with an overproduction of androgens due to PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). It has also been linked to other medical conditions and certain medications. In some cases, no actual cause for Hirsutism can be found.
How often does Hirsutism occur?
It is estimated that 5-15% of child-bearing aged women deal with Hirsutism and that around 40% of all women will develop it at some point. This is most often due to the fluctuation of hormones throughout a woman's lifetime.
What is PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which the ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgens-male sex hormones that are usually present in women in small amounts. The exact cause of PCOS is not clear.
How common is PCOS?
Approximately 1 in 10 women of childbearing age have PCOS. It is responsible for an estimated 65-75% of Hirsutism cases. Not all women with PCOS will have Hirsutism and not all women with Hirsutism have PCOS.
Can you look at my hair and tell me if I may have PCOS?
Definitely not. If you are experiencing male pattern hair growth, it is best to seek medical advice from your doctor. There are many factors that go into a diagnosis and they are able to assist with ruling things out and hopefully getting to the root cause of the hair growth.
Will this unwanted hair growth ever stop?
Uncontrolled or worsening PCOS can allow the body to keep converting soft, vellus hair over to thick, coarse (terminal) hair. Discuss your long term hair removal goals with your doctor so that they understand it is a priority to you and are able to best help you from a medical standpoint.
I have Hirsutism or a combo of PCOS and Hirsutism. How can I get rid of this hair?
The good news is that electrolysis is perfect for hormonal hair overgrowth on the face, whereas removal methods such as plucking and waxing can actually stimulate growth. Electrolysis is the only way to permanently get rid of your unwanted hair.
Will electrolysis get rid of all the unwanted hair?
All of the hair treated with electrolysis will stop growing. However, overproduction of androgens can cause new hairs to appear from untreated follicles. This is why it is especially important to know what is causing your hair growth and to address the root issue in conjunction with electrolysis.
I tried laser hair removal and ended up with way more hair than when I started!
Paradoxical Hypertrichosis is a potential side effect of laser hair removal where dormant hair follicles are actually triggered to produce hair. It happens most often within ethnic groups that have dark skin, as well as those with hormone induced hair growth, such as PCOS. It occurs mainly on the face and neck, it is treatable with electrolysis.
I have experienced Paradoxical Hypertrichosis and I am devastated!
You are not alone. The massive, sudden onset of hair growth is so disheartening. Sadly, many others experience this, as well. Rest assured that electrolysis can actually take care of the unwanted hair you're dealing with.