Hirsutism: The Hairy Truth

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Last Updated on August 22, 2012

HIRSUTISM

I mentioned earlier how following a Paleo diet helped my PCOS issues but I never really got into my issues with hirsutism.    It’s not a health issue that every woman with PCOS has  but I’m one of the lucky few who have to deal with it.

So what exactly is hirsutism?  The definition per Wikipedia:

“the excessive hairiness on women in those parts of the body where terminal hair does not normally occur or is minimal – for example, a beard or chest hair. It refers to a male pattern of body hair (androgenic hair) and it is therefore primarily of cosmetic and psychological concern. Hirsutism is a medical sign rather than a disease and may be a sign of a more serious medical condition, especially if it develops well after puberty.  . .”

I have always been hairy and it’s not sexy nor an accepted social norm for women to have hair on their face nonetheless an over abundance of hair on their chest, arms or legs.   I learned this in junior high when I decided that I would not shave my legs until high school and a classmate (guy) would stare at my legs in horror and ask me every time I donned shorts – which was a lot since I lived in Arizona – why I would not shave.   I ignored him.  I’m good at doing that but it finally clicked when I was getting a hair cut and the hair dresser tisked and asked why I had not shaved my sideburns and didn’t I know that girls did not have sideburns that I was not normal.    My typically reaction to this at this time was to bury my head in the sand and not look at the health issues that were causing this imbalance.

The hair just got worse over the years.  At first it was one single hair on my chin and now I have to break out my wax kit every other week to take care of  what seems like every inch of my face.  I know there are women out there who have to shave every single day.  There are women who have full beards and get 5 o clock shadow.  There are women who have hair all over their chests or are dealing with the opposite – male pattern baldness.  Perhaps the cards I was dealt are a little better but still I’m not celebrating over here.

Besides investing in depilatories, I’ve looked at what  natural remedies might help Hirsutism.  I do believe that my Paleo diet has helped.  I do believe that my avoidance of soy, preference of organic food and bath/beauty product have helped but I don’t have any way to prove it.

As soon as I’m done nursing I’m going to start experimenting  with the following herbal remedies to see if it will help with the excess hair.

3 Natural Remedies for Hirsutism

  • Inositol
  • Chaste Berry
  • Saw Palmetto

 

If you have hirsutism, what have you found that has to worked to help with excessive hair.

 

The information contained in this topic is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, it is provided for educational purposes only.  You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

21 thoughts on “Hirsutism: The Hairy Truth”

  1. I have naturally dark hair and my arms and legs were always hairy. I remember begging my mom to let me shave my legs when I was 11. She finally started letting me shave with an electric shaver when I was 12.

    Reply
  2. That is really interesting! I envy one of my sisters, because she never has to shave. I have to shave my legs 1-2 times a day, because sometimes it seems like it grows back by the end of the day (no joke!).

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  3. I can imagine how difficult this would be. This pregnancy has made me grow hair where I haven’t before, and I am so self conscious about it… Good for you for writing this post for others who may have this and feel lonely or frustrated, but now can know about herbal remedies!

    Reply
  4. I have hair on my face as well, but as of now it is only blonde. I am sorry you have to deal with this, but I hope one of the herbal remedies will work for you in the near future.

    Reply
  5. its sad that not many people know about this horrible problem that some woman have to deal with.. your very brave for talking about it. I do suspect PCOS and have the excess male pattern of body hair. its SO embarrassing! I absolutely HATE & loathe anyone that doesn’t have to deal with this curse! its so unfair not to mention that it affects every part of my self confidence as well as making me self conscious! I wish everyday to just feel like a normal woman without these problems of being hairy. A little peach fuzz is othing to worry about ladies compared to manly facial & body hair. be thankful u don’t have to deal with that. but I too am going to try the herbs u posted about. I have been taking other herbal supplements for infertility and have done tons of research in the past about herbs for hirsutism and haven’t tried any long enough to see any difference but I am going to be starting them soon! anything to get rid of this or to help this condition. good luck to u!

    Reply
  6. Thanks for posting. I have been dealing with a “beard” for years now. The expensive cream my Dr prescribed did not help. I have to pluck out chin hairs daily. I will try the herbs too when I finish nursing, and know I need to get back to Paleo for my health and to feel better.

    Reply
  7. I too have hirsutism. I don’t know my severity and as each year progress it gets worse. I however don’t have PCOS but I do have some issue with my hormones where my patuitary gland will stop working. Very rough! I started in junior high with a mustache and in high school I got the thick hair on my belly… Later now 26 six I also grow hair fast shaving everyday and I have a spotted beard random long dark thick hairs on my arms and shoulders. I shave from my toes, foot, legs, thighs, pubic area, stomach, trim my arms, and tweeze my face, and wax. I’m so glad you posted this!!! I’m going to try those on different parts to see the benefits! I too could have it worse and I’m thankful I don’t! I’ve also developed a condition that because my hair is getting so thick it’s actually causing ingrowth hairs and there so deep in my dermis that I get pockets that form and I eventually develop staff. This is usually a condition found in men. It’s been a struggle!

    Reply

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