I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in December 2013 after I went 6 months straight (July - December 2013) without any periods and I began to notice the hair on my arms and legs getting darker. I went to the doctors where they did some blood tests and found that I had PCOS. After that we discussed the options that could help control the condition. My doctor discussed about going on the pill but when I showed her the recent history with my mum having blood clots as she recently had a pulmonary embolism during Easter 2013. My doctor wanted to be sure so I went for more tests at the local hospital, two trips for blood tests.
After three/four months of waiting the results came back and revealed that I'm at higher risk of getting blood clots. This was news that I didn't want to hear. It meant that I couldn't go on the pill so that immediately limited my options of what I could do to/take to control the symptoms. I phoned my doctor up asking her where we go from here and all she could tell me was that if I wanted to I could join Weight Watchers in a hope of losing weight. In all honestly I didn't find this very helpful since I know most people with PCOS had been given Metformin.
My periods came back in January 2014 and have stayed since (touch wood). I'm worried that if they go again my doctor won't be in anyway helpful. So right now I'm trying everything I can to get rid of the unwanted dark hair on my legs. Currently I'm not doing anything with my arms because for now I think I can live with it. I'm using a number of methods on my legs. When I'm in a rush I'll use Veet cream but when I have time I use an epilator in an attempt to get rid of the hair for good. I have also invested in a light tool which sends pulses of light into the hair follicle which helps to stunt the growth.
The dark hair on my arms and legs first began to appear in 2007/8 when I first started to have periods. It honestly dented my confidence and has still. During PE at school I would always wear my track suit bottoms even in the boiling heat because I couldn't bear people to see my legs. Still now (over the years the dark hair has got worse especially on my arms) I am scared to wear short sleeves or no sleeves because I'm terrified of what people will think. I have also been so conscious of what people will think of me. I haven't worn a skirt or dress since 2006 (8 years ago). It's not just the dark hair I'm concerned about it is also my weight. When I was at secondary school I weighed 12st 5 and over the past three years it has ballooned to a massive 14st 9. That is another thing I'm always worried about because of what people will think.
Shopping for clothes is even beginning to become a struggle because I'm having to worry about whether it shows too much arm to too much leg or will I look big in it. I feel that this whole condition is starting to affect me mentally because I'm constantly worrying about it. I would love to be able for the first time wear no sleeve tops or a dress and not have to worry about anything or look in the mirror and feel pretty good about myself.
Does anyone know of anything that could help me in anyway, from tips on losing weight or how to control the dark hair?