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363243 tn?1331033850

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.
135 Responses
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Avatar universal
What causes this condition? Is it food. I have it but my mum does not
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Avatar universal
I have been following this blog for a while now and today i felt like i should share my story because i was a victim too. I had endometriosis for 18 years and i never thought i would ever get a cure due to the terrible symptoms i had and this made it impossible for me to get pregnant even after 12 years of marriage and it was a serious issue. I got to know about Dr. Aleta who treated someone and the person shared a story of how she got a cure and let her contact details, i contacted Dr. Aleta and she actually confirmed it and i decided to give a try too and use her herbal medicine that was how my burden ended completely. My son will be 2 this december and i am grateful to God and thankful to her for medicine too. If you have (Endometriosis, PCOS, Fibroid, Ovarian cyst, Ectopic Pregnancy or any infertility issues) just reach her on (aletedwin @ gmail. com) she has professional advise and a cure too.
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Avatar universal
Yes! Im so glad to have run across your post. I struggle with the same thing and am also a woman who loves makeup etc but it does do a number on your self esteem. I am sure to use primers and always apply ice on my face right after showering and shaving to lowet inflammation. Blessings and keep your head up.
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Avatar universal
I have suffered from this since I was 16. It really started to get bad when I was about 22. Now i'll be 30 and  I freakn hate it. I wish there was something to help us all. I have 2 chidren so th epcos didn't really effect me that way. However, this condotion is really hard to deal with when it comes to dating. I go from night to day with makeup. I don't want to be that girl that hideds behind make up. I use to have beautiful skin. Now my schin and side burn area are horrid. I will use the skin tight too see what happens but I wish there were something to do about the darkness around my chin and side burns..
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Avatar universal
Hello ladies this is a very interesting fourm. My x suffered from hirsutism and I had a first hand look at it, keep your spirits up..
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Avatar universal
I kno exactly how you feel, I'm 19 and have ben suffering with hirsutism since 13. In school I would always hide when changing for sports or sometimes miss it completely due to the far of being seeing by others. I get extremely thick hair on my stomach, bikini area, between my legs, thighs etc. I spend £60 every fortnight getting a full body wax which I can just about afford lol, it can be so distressing.

I always thought that maybe due to being half Asian this was the reason , but out of 3 sisters I'm the only one. I'm not sexually active either due to the fear or being laughed at and even stray away from males. I get a lot of attention from boys who want to go out for dinner etc but I can't  bring myself to it. I've cried buckets but I have to get over it because there's only so much I can do. Beside I suffer from a few other illnesses so I need to somehow buck up the courage.

Let's try not to stress, the horrors a female has to go through ay. Xxxx
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Avatar universal
I posted before that going vegan, especially raw vegan will be one of the best things you can do for pcos.  It is not a cure all but your symptoms will greatly improve and you can prevent this from getting worse.  

I would even experiment with fresh juices and doing juice fasting/feasting.  Once I got meat out of my diet, my acne eventually went away and when I went raw, my cycles normalised.  Yet, I've noticed that after re-introducing meat back into my diet over the past year, my cycles became irregular again.  

Exercise and weight lifting along with using Inositol, Chiral Balance, Liquorice Root and andrenal support supplements have helped immensely and I think this has helped minimise my symptoms.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
yall are lucky to be honest im 23 been suffering with hirsutism for about 6 years not only do I get extra hair growth on my cheeks, lower back upper back, thighs, rear end , private area, arms, legs, chest and stomach  .. with the in grown hairs bumps take their place. I also suffer from serious acne hyperpigmentation which cover the whole of my cheeks, neck, arms, chest, stomach, thighs, bottom and legs I am a black female who has been living in shame and disgust ive never worn revealing clothing before even in hot weather I forever wear makeup to cover the scars and pigmentation, no male has seen me with my clothes of hence why im not sexually active, I only show my hands and feet willingly because people question me as to why im always covered up its encouraging to know im not alone but some of yall need to count your blessings..... sometimes I contemplate whether I wanna live or not because I just cant find  an effective treatment n most men are shallow so I prefer not to dwelve into relationships my body issues have stopped me being the person I want to be just because I cannot leave my room without makeup and if it doesn't look right I wont go out.... I have no self confidence and its ruining my life I refuse to go on antidepressants because I believe im stronger than that but ive tried everything but if it doesn't make it worst it just doesn't help... im glad sisters can come on this site and share because to be honest when your the one with the issue you believe no one else has it  and it doesn't help that my problems have caused me to still be wearing a training bra I feel so unfeminine I know its the inside that counts but I do not love myself .. ive accepted myself but I hate what I see every single day if yall have any advice that can change my life (lol ) help a sister out! thank you p.s you ladies keep your head up aint nothing more attractive than a woman who is crazy confident regardless of her flaws u got features about yourself ppl love so look in the mirror and own your sexy self!
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Avatar universal
bn
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Avatar universal
Hi Coco,
My name is Nikki and I totally relate to your post.  You and I are the same age, and when I was reading it, it seemed as if I was reading about myself.  I was diagnosed with PCOS at age 18 and have suffered with hirsutism since I was 14.  My complexion has darkened so much over the years, and I do the very best I can with concealers and other products.  Due to health issues from this I have sought the help of an endocrinologist, who will hopefully assist in getting some things back on track for me.  I wish all of you ladies the best and will share anything that helps me.   Stay encouraged!  Coco thank you so much for sharing!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for sharing your story. I have suffered from PCOS for a long time not even knowing it. Did the Depovera shot help with the hair growth? Did you suffer any side effects when you used spironlactone?
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Avatar universal
Hello, I have PCOS also. I have been struggling with this since I was 18, I am 39 now. I was told I could not have children but I was on birth control just to keep the symptoms under control. Even though the doctors said I could not have children, while taking birth I conceived three children. I have a 19 years 13  years old and a 6 weeks old. I noticed that after each child my hair on my face, neck and chest increased. Sadly, I am withdrawn and afraid of people judging me because of it. I admit I pluck my hairs that grow on my chin, this has caused ugly black spots. I have tried several different products hoping to get some of my confidence back but have yet to find one that works. I can not afford laser treatments. If anyone knows of any Skin care products I am willing to try almost anything!
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Avatar universal
Did it work?
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Avatar universal
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.
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Avatar universal
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
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Avatar universal
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.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
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.
Helpful - 0
5819450 tn?1374839885
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)
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Avatar universal
I encourage you all to research Saw Palmetto and Licorice Root. They can help with the symptoms of PCOS and high testosterone levels. Testosterone turns into DHT which cause hair growth in unwanted places and hair loss on the crown of the head. Saw Palmetto helps to stop that. It can help with hormonal acne too.  The licorice root will help fertility if you want to conceive. I recently started the Saw Palmetto and my skin as improved tremendously. Please research it. PS I am of Jamaican decent
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I encourage you all to research Saw Palmetto and Licorice Root. They can help with the symptoms of PCOS and high testosterone levels. Testosterone turns into DHT which cause hair growth in unwanted places and hair loss on the crown of the head. Saw Palmetto helps to stop that. It can help with hormonal acne too.  The licorice root will help fertility if you want to conceive. I recently started the Saw Palmetto and my skin as improved tremendously. Please research it. PS I'm of the Jamaican decent.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
There is hope.  I am now 38 years old.  I was diagnosed with PCOS at 30, but I have had PCOS since I was 12.  I was told that it would be difficult for me to get pregnant, and it was.  But through prayer and faith, I had a beautiful baby girl at 36 years old.  I did not find out I was pregnant until I was at the END of my second trimester.  Know that difficult does not mean impossible.  My baby just turned 2 years old, last month and she is definitely my miracle baby.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm so glad I'm not the only one with these problems!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Honeys it is so STRESSFUL and yall understand the pain (literally...pain!) I'm 21 and have been diagnosed with PCOS since age 17. It was around that time that the hirutism started kicking in. It's depressing because it gets in the way of a lot of things. I look at girls with smooth bellies and smooth legs and instantly become jealous. My stomach has a thick patch of hair leading downwards. I stopped taking my birth control for a few months and the hair spread like wildfire. I would shave and it'd grow back completely in 2 - 3 days. I get long hairs around the areola, my leg hairs are thick and so are the hairs on my thighs. I'm also getting some on my chin and chest. It's painful to know that I can't just have sex with my boyfriend whenever I want because I'm ashamed of my hairy body. Always I have to shave my entire body once a week. I've got tons of ugly dark spots from ingrown hairs and they're hideous. My boyfriend accepts me but doesn't understand or have much as much compassion as I had wished. It makes me feel ugly. He will not even kiss my tummy because its so rough, even after shaving.

So glad that I'm not alone with this embarrassing condition.
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Avatar universal
hello i am 27 i suffer from the same problem i started growing hair on my face at 21 bc i shaved before i shaved i had no hair on my face i notice hair on my stomach sometimes a few on my chest its so embarrasing its hard for me to have friendships c i feal they are talking about my facial hair so i with draw from people to hid my symptoms i donnt know why im so hairy but i have like 9 hair bumps under my chin and i have to weare makeup i have beautiful skin but thie makes me so insecure im goin to get laser hair removal next yr bc i cant take this anymore i just cant contine on with a happy life..i recently was diagnosed with bellspalsy idk what made this happen but i may have the same condtions as you all please respond back soon thanks Chrissy
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have to say that finding this forum feels like a Godsend. For so long I have felt ahsamed, helpless, fed up but overall alone because I had absolutely no one to turn to for understanding or simply just to listen to me vent about my struggles with hirsutism.

I am glad to now be a part of this community and I am eager to begin regular correspondence with anyone who would like to exchange tips, tricks and other helpful information.
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